Page 158 of Now and Forever

“You said you were going to Björn’s party, but you didn’t.”

“I didn’t say that,” I say. “I said I was going to a party, but I didn’t say it was Björn’s. I made it clear to you he’s just a good friend to me.”

Neither of us speaks for a moment.

“I want to see you, please.”

I like that he asked nicely, and I just don’t think I can resist any longer. I want him.

“At four o’clock in the English Garden, by the stand where we bought sandwiches the day we went with Flyn, OK?”

“All right.”

When I hang up, I grin. We have a date. I take a shower. I put on a long skirt, a T-shirt, and my leather jacket. I get a taxi, and when I arrive, he’s waiting for me. My heart beats fast. If he takes me in his arms and asks me to come back with him, I’m not going to be able to tell him no. I want him so much, in spite of how angry I am with him for not telling me about my sister and knowing he went to the party with someone else.

“Well, here I am. What do you want?”

“You look like you didn’t get much sleep.”

Amused by that observation, I look at him and respond, “You don’t look so good yourself.”

“Where were you last night and with whom?”

“Are we talking about that again?”

“Jude ...”

“OK ... I’ll answer your question when you tell me who the woman was who went with you to Björn’s little party last night.”

My question surprises him, and he doesn’t answer.

“My plane leaves at seven thirty. So, go ahead and say whatever you have to say to me. I have to go back to the hotel, get my suitcase, and catch my flight.”

He looks at me, confused. “You’re not going to tell me who you were with last night?”

“Have you answered my question?” He doesn’t answer; he just looks at me. “I want you to know I know you lied to me too.”

“What?” he asks, thrown off.

“You hid my sister’s separation from me, and then you had the gall to get angry with me because I was hiding things about your family.”

“It’s not the same,” he defends himself.

“You’re a liar. You’re cold, and to answer your question about who I was with last night, all I’ll tell you is that I’m free to spend the night with whomever I please, just like you. Do you accept my answer?”

He looks at me hard and then finally stands up.

“Goodbye, Judith.”

He walks away. He leaves!

With my adrenaline pumping, I watch as he gets farther and farther away. He would never let me twist his arm. He’s too proud, and I guess I am too. This is not how I thought it would go. Finally, I get a taxi, go to the hotel, pick up my suitcase, and head to the airport. When the plane takes off, I close my eyes.

“Fucking pigheaded man!”

43

Ten days later, there’s a Müller convention in Munich, and I have to go. I try to get out of it, but Gerardo and Miguel don’t let me, and I suspect Mr. Zimmerman has something to do with that. When my plane arrives, the memories roll over me. I’m back again in this breathtaking city. Along with Miguel and various other big shots from the Spanish branches, we get to the place where the conference has been organized at eleven o’clock in the morning. Once we’re there, I sit down beside Miguel, and the convention begins. I search for Eric in the crowd of attendees, and I spot him. He’s in the first row, and my heart sinks when I see him next to Amanda. That bitch!

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