Page 100 of Second Round

Leo’s smile was careful and polite. “Okay, we’ve gotten that out of the way. There’s one more thing. I realize it’s not my business, so you can tell me to butt out. That guy—Sid—he doesn’t seem like the right person for you.He’stoo—”

“It’s okay,” I interrupted. “I broke up with him that night I saw you. It was never that big a dealanyway.”

“So, you’resinglethen?”

“Yes.” I held my breath. Leo smiled. Really smiled this time, the smile reachedhiseyes.

“I’ve done a lot of thinking since you left. About my priorities....” He stopped and looked down at me. “Mais, I don’t think this is the right time to discuss this. Tonight is a celebration of youraccomplishments.”

That was disappointing, but yes, my opening was something I’d looked forward to for months. “How about after the opening?” Iasked.

He nodded. ‘‘How soonafter?”

“Thirtyseconds?”

We both laughed. He brought his hand up and caressed my cheek. I leaned into his touch andsighed.

“Sounds perfect. I’ll come over right aftermygame?”

“Okay. But the kids will bethere.”

“That’s fine. I’d like toseethem.”

They’d probably be asleep though. And I needed time to process all this before I explained it to them. My emotions were careening on a crazyrollercoaster.

Leo took my hand in his. His thumb caressed my palm. I had missed his warm affectionate touches so much. “We’ll have to wait a few hours in any case. But meantime, I’d like to hear more about yourpaintings.”

“Okay. I painted scenes from my life back in West Van, as a good-bye. The forested trails. The rooms in my home that had meaning.” Every painting was like a pieceofme.

He pointed to an ocean landscape. “Tell me aboutthisone.”

“This is from my favourite running trails. You run through the forest and then you come to this open place where you can see the ocean. You’re pretty high up. The arbutus trees are so twisted and interesting there.” I smiled. “I like to do short runs. That was my turnaround point. Run there, enjoy the view, andrunback.”

“Perhaps you can take me theresometime?”

The hesitancy in his voice made my heart surge. Leo was always so sure of himself, but now he was worried about my response. For once, I had thepower.

“Perhaps. We have things to discussfirst.”

Next was a painting of a corner of Tristan’s room, with a white wicker rocking chair and black and whitecushions.

“This painting reminds me of when Tristan was a baby. He was a terrible sleeper, so I’d get up in the middle of the night and nurse him in that chair. Then I would rock him until he fell asleep. But it took him ages to fall asleep. He was so curious and kept looking around at everything. He had the sweetest little face with long eyelashes and fat cheeks. It was so dark and quiet—like we were the only people awake in the whole world. I was exhausted, yet those times seem like a happydreamnow.”

Once he was older, I should have gotten rid of the rocking chair but I could never bring myself to do it. And Tristan hated change anyway. But once we had to move, I ruthlessly sold everything. A tiny pregnant lady bought the chair, and I assured her that it had great karma. So now the painting was my only visual reminder of those dark, lovingnights.

“Tell me about the colours in it,”Leosaid.

“Well, there’s a lot of black and white in his room, which you can see. And some turquoise and blue, here and here. But through the window you can still see the magnolia tree we planted when we moved in. I took a little artistic liberty and put it into bloom. It’s full of pretty pinkpetals.”

I looked down at the muscular chest I knew was under Leo’s dress shirt. “That colour on the edge is exactly the same colour asyourtie.”

Leo started. “Wait. My tieispink?”

I stared at him. “Yes, of course. Youdidn’tknow?”

“That bastard Luczak. Last road trip, I spilled something on my tie at dinner and had to buy a new one before the game. He came along to help. Any colour but pink, I told him. I am so gonna get him backforthis.”

I threw my head back and hooted. “I never thought of all the ways I can torture you because you’re colour blind. Do suits comeinpink?”

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