Page 73 of The Love We Make

“Nora, I’m not leaving you like this.”

“Oh yes, you are.” The first tears trickle down my cheeks. “It’s over. I don’t want to do this anymore.” If only she wasn’t so damn patient. If only she would leave already.

“I do love you.” Mimi swallows hard. “In fact, I think I may love you a whole lot more than you love yourself.”

Oh, Jesus. Not that again. “Please, I’m begging you. Go.”

“Okay. But this doesn’t have to be the end, Nora. It really doesn’t.”

Maybe if she said she was sorry for pushing too hard, but there’s been no hint at an apology. Thisisthe end and we are so over. Yes, we fucking are. Tears stream down my cheeks as my prediction comes true, after I’ve successfully chased her off, and Mimi leaves my house—hopefully never to return.

* * *

“What happened?” Juan asks.

“I really don’t want to talk about it, Jay. I just need you to be here with me.”

“Sure.” Juan gets it. He doesn’t pry or try to get me to call my parents. He leaves me alone—he knows me and still loves me in the only way that I can be loved. He sits next to me and puts his head on my shoulder. “I guess Thanksgiving at the St Jameses is off the table.”

“For me it is, but you should go. I’m sorry if this makes things awkward for you.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind? I won’t, if you need me. I’m here for you, Nora. I can sit here in silence with you and sulk for a good few hours, days even, if it helps.”

“I appreciate that, but I don’t want you to change your plans with Austin for me. He’s your boyfriend. You should be with him.”

“You’re my soul sister. That trumps everything.”

“Thank you, but it’s okay.”

“All right. Imani will stay with you. She didn’t really want to go in the first place.”

I nod. “Mimi pushed too hard, Jay. Way too fucking hard.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not cut out for this. For a relationship. But I’m really happy things are working out for you and Austin. Who would have thought? Juan Diaz head over heels in love with a respectable man.”

“Not me, sister. Not me.” He gives my knee a squeeze. “But I am.”

I expel a sigh.

“On a scale of one to Juan, how much does it hurt?” Juan’s always plus-ten in our world.

“Too fucking much.” Because I did let her get close. I let Mimi in. Some part of me must have really wanted her very badly, but I’m still me. No matter how wonderful Mimi might be, I’m still better off alone. Because this pain will diminish over time, and in a few months, weeks even, I will have forgotten all about her. At least that’s what I like to make myself believe.

CHAPTER32

MIMI

I’ve already told the kids about my break-up with Nora, so I wouldn’t have to announce it to them today of all days—on Thanksgiving. But, fuck. I have to blink away a tear when Austin and Juan arrive.

“Oh, Mom.” Austin pulls me into a very tight hug. “I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, Mama.” Juan’s hug is even tighter. “You and I are going to have a little chat later, okay?” He finds my ear. “I happen to be the number one expert on all things Nora Levine.”

What does he mean? I wish I could have that little chat right now, because I’ve tried calling Nora a couple of times, before I gave up, but it’s like she has blocked my number which, come to think of it, is such a Nora move. But, right now, everyone’s arriving, my ex-husband and his wife included.

“How are you holding up?” Jennifer puts a few dishes she has supposedly prepared—more likely bought from the deli around the corner of her house—into the fridge. The kids have been nothing but sweet and caring. I raised them well enough for them not to throw a tantrum at their mother breaking up with their teenage idol.

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