Page 29 of Still the One

I have no time to reflect on that, because Alan and Charles arrive and they’re not the type to do so quietly.

“Jamie,” Leila says after the plates of the main course have been cleared. The food is so fancy, I barely remember what the dish was. “Have you been to the roof?”

“Sorry?” It takes me a moment to realize this isn’t some expression I’ve never heard of.

“There’s a terrace on the rooftop. Have you been up there?”

Surely Leila knows this is the first time I’ve set foot in Mac’s apartment, but it must be her way of getting me alone. Maybe she has some pressing questions.

Even though they try to avoid the spotlight, I’ve seen pictures of her and Isabel, but no picture does Leila Zadeh justice. It doesn’t surprise me that a woman like Leila would fall for the likes of Mac—and vice versa, although I prefer not to think about that.

“No, but I’d love to see it.”

“Come on.”

Alan is deep in conversation with Izzy. They’re a match made in heaven. There’s no better way to describe it. Although initially a tad aloof, I witnessed Izzy thaw in front of my eyes the more time she spent with Alan. He did say he would rise to the occasion, and he hasn’t disappointed. It helps that he’s the kind of guy who could have a meaningful conversation with a rock. He always knows what to say and he’s excellent company, whether you’re Isabel Adler or just a mere mortal like me.

Charles has disappeared somewhere with Mac. Maybe he’s pretending to help Mac in the kitchen so Alan can have some alone time with Izzy. It wouldn’t surprise me.

On the way upstairs, in the hallway, there’s an enlarged picture of Mac in her college soccer days, in NYU Violets uniform. Her hair was much longer then and it’s tied up in a high ponytail. From a distance, it’s easy to see her as the All-American wholesome athlete that she was, but when you look a little closer, the real Mac comes through. The asymmetries and scars that give her an edge, the imperfections that make her so irresistible. That’s the girl I fell head-over-heels for right there. I have to tear myself away from the picture though, because Leila’s way ahead of me.

“It’s enlightening to finally be able to put a face to the name,” Leila says as we gaze out across the river to the Manhattan skyline. “I love your bread, by the way.” She turns to me and sends me a wide smile. “The best sourdough in New York.”

“Thank you.” It was Mac who advised me, when I just started out, experimenting in our tiny kitchen, to focus on one thing only, and try to become the best at it.

“But I’ll be honest.” Leila has such a dazzling smile. “I didn’t ask you up here to talk about bread, no matter how delicious it is.”

“I figured as much.” We lean against the railing. We’re so high up, it’s a little scary. I pull back and look at Leila—and her ultra-charming smile—instead of the depths below.

“I’m very fond of Mac. Always have been.” She crosses her arms in front of her chest. Leila’s not just charming then. She seems very protective of Mac. “I’d like to say that I know her well, but you’re a part of her life, of her past I should say really, she has never allowed me access to.”

For obvious reasons, I think, but I get the feeling I’m about to be grilled and I don’t want to add oil to the fire.

“Clearly, you did a number on her. I’ve met the occasional emotionally unavailable woman in my time, but Mac really took the crown.” She huffs out some air. “Compared to Mac, even Izzy was an easier nut to crack, and god knows how difficult she was.”

I read the biography Leila wrote about Isabel Adler. The details of their romance were not included in the book, but Izzy’s struggle with life was.

“And then, Mac comes back from Maui with the news that she slept with you. Color me confused.”

“Not just you,” I say. “It’s very confusing for me as well.” I pin my gaze on Leila’s. “When we said goodbye in Maui, Mac made it clear she didn’t want to see me again, yet here I am.”

“It didn’t take that much for her to invite you tonight.”

I can’t help myself. A smile blooms on my face.

“Thank you for making this happen.” I pause. “But, um, why did you persuade her to invite me?”

“I was curious. Mac has never been very forthcoming with information about you other than that you left her for another woman three months before your commitment ceremony. It’s quite the conversation stopper.”

I have no response to that—proving Leila’s point.

“But I couldn’t believe she slept with you in Maui. What’s that all about? It’s so unlike her. I guess I wanted to see if you still had some sort of magical hold over her. I wanted to see you together in one room.”

“And?” My heart beats in my throat.

“She’s been uptight all night, which is also unlike her. Honestly, when I see you and Mac together, I wouldn’t know you two slept together. She’s so polite with you, it’s almost painful to watch. Because that’s not how she is. She probably doesn’t know how to act around you. She might be a little all over the place, actually.”

“She’s not alone,” I confess.

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