Page 153 of From Rivals to I Do

Chapter twenty-one

Chapter Twenty-One

It has been a few days since Leonard walked out. He hasn’t been at work, nor have I heard from him.

“How long does it take to heal?” I wonder every day. I decide to go visit him at his home.

I start by dropping Charlee at my mom’s before heading to Leonard’s house. The ride to his place feels eerie, and I can feel my heart beating faster the closer I get.

Is this a good idea? What if…?

I decide to keep an open mind. Maybe he got sick or something? I continue to ponder on these and many more questions when I realize I have reached the front

of his house. I park across the road and walk over to his front porch. I can hear screaming and sounds of laughter coming from inside.

I immediately started feeling triggered.

So, he’s been okay and just ignoring me?

I knock on the door and wait for a response or something. I hear footsteps approaching. The door opens, and a woman appears in the frame.

“Delivery or something?”

“Erm…no. Hi, my name is Rayne,” I say. She is dressed in an oversized shirt that I suppose is Leonard’s.

“Oh, hi. Please come in.” She steps aside for me to enter.

“Thanks. Where’s Leonard, please?”

She points in the direction I assume to be the kitchen. I walk in to find him cooking, bare-chested. His expression when he sees me says a lot. I feel the presence

of someone behind me.

Leonard moves back from the island and heads towards us.

“Ria, meet Rayne. Rayne, Ria,” he says casually. “I wasn’t expecting you here,” he tells me, giving me a hug and pulling my hand so we can step out of the

kitchen.

So, that is Ria. I glance back in the direction of the kitchen. The Ria who comforts him every year, the Ria who texts and calls every other day. The best friend Ria.

“I see you have been busy,” I say, making sure my tone sounds as sarcastic as possible. “Not exactly…” he starts to say when I cut him off.

“I don’t get you, Leonard. You say you need time to think and process something less than 24 hours after I agree to be your girlfriend and apparently, processing

things includes having fun with your best friend while I wear myself out with worry, wondering how you are and all?” I exclaim, trying not to shed tears, at least

not in front of him.

I stand there, stunned, as I watch him fumble for words to respond. He looks so lost, so unsure. If he likes Ria, why did he ask me to be his girlfriend?

“I just need time to think,” he finally manages to say, but his words feel empty and hollow.

“Almost a week, and you still need time to think, Leonard?”

I feel my chest tighten with anxiety and anger. He is spending time with his best friend while “thinking” about us. What could he possibly need to think about?

Why am I putting myself through this? Why should I subject myself to the anxiety and pain of wondering where I stand with him? After Reece, I promised

---