Page 83 of Art of Love
“This is just a visit, a friendly visit. I haven’t been here in a while.” He offered me a kind smile.
When I looked at him, I wondered if my great efforts to shut people out was the reason why he’d cheated on me.
“Thanks for coming.”
“You okay?” He leaned close and brushed against my shoulder.
I shook my head. “Not by a long shot.”
“Last time I saw you look so distraught was when I saw you in Atlanta after Todd’s funeral.”
I looked at him. I didn’t think I could express to anyone how badly I’d needed him that day. That day, I didn’t know what I needed until he’d arrived. His presence made me forgive him.
“I kind of feel the same way.”
“Is it Hunter? Please don’t tell me he hurt you the way I did.”
“No.” I would never say to him that Hunter would never do that because he told me he wouldn’t.
“Good. I don’t want you hurt like that again.” His voice held an edge of sadness that gripped me.
I pressed my lips together and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Stephan...” I was about to ask a question that didn’t really matter to me in the way it was going to sound. I was asking for other reasons. “Was it because I shut you out, why you... well, cheated? You said we never confirmed that we were together. I thought we were, but there must have been a reason why you thought we weren’t. Was it that?”
He blinked, then held my gaze. Then he looked ashamed. “No.”
I looked away from him. “You just cheated because you wanted to.”
That was the answer.
“I am sorry, Jia. I know it’s unforgiveable, and I wish I could take it back. I didn’t know what I lost until I lost you. When I went to Atlanta to see you, I didn’t know if you’d want to see me because we weren’t talking, but it didn’t matter. Sometimes you just have to be there for people, even if it’s not you they want. Like now.”
A solemn expression filled his handsome face.
“You always seem to come at the time when I need someone.”
“Well, maybe I can be that friend for you. Will you tell me what’s wrong?”
“I wish I could be happy.”
“Hunter makes you happy.Asshole. I’m jealous of him with his stupid accent, but he makes you happy.”
I wanted to laugh, but I couldn’t. “John just handed me something that could change the game for me.”
Stephan’s eyes widened. “What will you do?”
“I won’t use it against Hunter, but I think that when decision time comes, John will pick him. He suits Impasso, Stephan. He has the same vision and that eccentricity everyone has. I can see it.”
“You do too,” he offered.
“Stephan, tell me, you’ve seen his work and you’ve seen mine. Who would you pick?”
The rigid look on his face told me what he thought. His answer.
Once again, he wouldn’t pick me.
A tear ran down my cheek. He reached out and caught it.
