Page 58 of Fresh Canvas
“Really, Amantha.” He waited until he caught my tentative gaze, as if trying to convey his seriousness. “Riley sounds like a butthead.”
A small laugh that sounded more like a hiccup escaped me. “What are you, in eighth grade? Did you seriously just use the word ‘butthead’?”
“Yes, I did.” Val relaxed against the window with a solemn expression. “You see, I only use it in case of emergencies such as this.”
I laughed. “You’re an idiot. And his name is Ryan, by the way.”
Val smirked. “I know.”
Dang it, Russo. You’re making it so hard for me to hate you.
“How long have you been divorced?”
It was getting easier to talk about now. “We’ve been separated for almost two years. But the divorce was finalized in April.”
“Listen, Amantha”—he blew out a long breath—“I owe you an apology too. I was a jerk when we first met. And most of the days after that.” His sheepish smile was framed by his blushing cheeks. “And that day I sat beside you on the plane… Well, it wasn’t my finest moment either. I really am sorry, Amantha. For the record, what Ryan did to you wasn’t okay. He sounds like a coward, and I’m sorry you went through that. Well, youandAnthony, I suppose.”
My heart climbed a tall ladder and did a spectacularly twisting high dive. Never would I have expected such soft, kind words to come from Val Russo. It took a few moments to be able to respond.
“Thanks Val. That means more than you know.”
“Is Anthony taking it okay now? The divorce?”
Val’s concern for my child washed over me like warm water.
“Kinda. It was hard for us at first. I—I was really messed up at the time, and I hate that Anthony watched me go through that.” I fiddled with my soda bottle. “But he seems to be handling everything better now. Anthony really loves Ryan, and I am glad the two of them are working things out at least.”
“Sounds like you raised a strong kid.”
Imelted.
“Since then, have you… Uh, have you dated?”
The awkward question surprised me. I blushed furiously, shaking my head. “No. I mean, it wasn’t until recently that I even… I don’t know. Considered? Maybe that’s not the right word?—”
Val cleared his throat into his bag of potato chips. “Thatmakes sense. I’ve not… I mean, I haven’t either. Not since Stella.”
Silence crowded around us, thick with questions and unspoken words. I watched a muscle feather in his jaw, craving the ability to read his mind.
“I just couldn’t see the point after Stel,” Val suddenly continued, his sad smile tugging at my heart. “Like, how’s a guy supposed to move on after someone like her, you know?”
I nodded quietly, offering the ear I sensed he desperately needed.
“Even through the chemotherapy, Stella was so optimistic.” Val shook his head in disbelief. “Nothing like me. She beat the odds though. Her remission lasted for three years until…” Val couldn’t say it.
I didn’t try to hide my misty eyes. “She had cancer?”
Val nodded at the floor. “Uterine cancer. The doctors found it after we miscarried. Even then, Stel was sure we’d eventually have a kid.” He looked up and forced a small laugh. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this. I didn’t mean to—” He gestured to my tear-filled eyes.
“Oh, this?” I swiped my cheeks and sat up straighter. “These are just allergies.”
A soft laugh rolled over his lips, appreciation stamped across his face. “Allergies? And what are you suddenly allergic to, Adams?”
“Uh… Super clean offices. We should get out of here and go work at my desk instead.”
“No way. I’ve seen your desk. It’s like a bomb went off.”
A laugh forced its way through the lump in my throat. “You’re the worst.”
