Page 100 of My Promise To Keep

‘I love you, Zo Zo. Now, concentrate on the road and go and get your man.’

‘Goddammit.’ I call out as I watch the last parking space get taken just as I approach. I drive past Lion Ink, frustrated that I can’t park close by today, and go in search of another.

I find a space a block away and run-walk to the shop. I want to get there fast, but I don’t want to be out of breath and sweaty when I do.

Finally, I push open the door and head into the shop. My heart is racing as I look around, and Fi stands to greet me.

‘Zoe, hi.’ She smiles, and I study it, looking for anger, pity, anything that will give me a clue about the reception I can expect. ‘Leo isn’t working today.’ My heart sinks. ‘I think he’s upstairs, though.’

‘He’s not answering.’ I hold up my cell phone. I feel like I need to explain why I don’t know where he is.

‘He doesn’t have a cell phone right now, sweetie.’ She smiles sweetly, and there it is, there’s the pity. She knows. ‘Go up, Zo.’

I make my way to the stairwell that leads up to Leo’s apartment, punching in the code to open the door at the bottom and stopping to lean against the wall once I get inside.

He waited a lifetime for me, so he’s waited two days, right? My mind runs through the scenarios I might find at the top ofthese stairs, from him kicking me out, to welcoming me back, to him having a woman or women up there with him, and I lean forward, my hands on my knees as I feel sick at the idea of him with someone else.

‘Munch?’

My nickname has me turning to find him standing at the top of the stairs, confusion creasing his perfect face.

I straighten and exhale my relief at being in the same space as him.

‘Leo.’

I start to climb the stairs slowly as the sound of my trembling breath fills the silence.

‘What are you doing here, Zoe?’

I reach the top and swallow hard at the comforting scent of him.

‘I needed to—’ As he steps back a little into his apartment, my attention is stolen by the packed bags and boxes. ‘You packed already.’

He nods. ‘I’m leaving early, thought I might as well get set up down there.’

‘Are you coming back?’

The boxes make this move look a lot more permanent than it’s supposed to be.

‘Yes, Zoe. I’ll be coming back. Gus and Fi are moving in here while I’m gone.’

‘Oh.’ I nod, processing.

‘What do you want, Zo? I packed up your stuff, but it’s in my car. I was going to bring it back to you.’

‘Can I come?’ The words come out shaky as I panic at the thought of him saying no.

‘What?’

Blowing out a breath, I step a little closer, closing the gap between us.

‘To California. Please. Can I come with you?’

‘Munch.’ Leo turns and walks into his apartment. Even with his back to me, I can sense his hesitation, and I can see the slow shake of his head. I tentatively step inside. ‘You said no.’

‘Please don’t say I’m too late to take that back.’

‘You didn’t want to come.’

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