Chapter 34
LILA
“I’m sorry, I honestly thought you’d have a few offers on the table by now,” the realtor admitted, plastering on a smile.
I stared at her before my gaze dropped to my stomach. I needed to get the house sold ASAP or ask my cheating husband to move back in to pay the bills.
What a choice. One I had no control over.
“Here’s the thing,” I said, glancing around us.
Her office was huge, but she shared it with other realtors and assistants.
The receptionist was constantly answering calls, and people were milling about waiting to be seen.
“I either need to sell it, like, yesterday, or take it off the market. I need you to be real with me.”
The realtor stared back at me. “Well, you could try dropping the price, but… other houses in your area sold for what you’re asking for six months ago, and the market hasn’t changed that significantly.
It doesn’t help that the school year has just started, so there aren’t many families looking to buy right now. Maybe take it off until spring?”
I appreciated her honesty, I did; but spring? It’s months away. I’d be heavily pregnant and—
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
I knew what I had to do.
“Take it off, and I’ll come back to you in the spring.”
Her face brightened, already checking out the people looking at the listings on the wall. “Okay. That’s a smart move, and you get one last winter and Christmas there!”
I filled in the paperwork, signing every dotted line until I was back outside in the chilly air.
Fuck. I was pretty much up shit creek with one broken paddle to hold onto, and I really didn’t want to use it. But even if I worked full time, I couldn’t afford the mortgage and bills myself. I was struggling to pay half!
Fucking fuck.
I slumped onto a bench and dropped my head into my hands, jumping a mile when I heard a voice say my name.
“You okay?”
I looked up, shielding my eyes from the bright sunshine.
Enzo stood there, his car keys in his hand. He was holding a bakery box, which he tried to hide sheepishly.
“Yeah. I’m okay; is that cake?” I asked, already wondering if I should get one. I could happily devour an entire chocolate cake with the way I was feeling.
“Uh…” Enzo reddened. “It’s cupcakes.”
“Oh?” I didn’t know why I was interested, but then my stomach growled. “With frosting?”
Enzo grinned. “Yeah. I’m sure I can spare one.”
I almost drooled when he sat beside me, opening the little box to reveal sweet cupcakes covered in chocolate frosting.
“Thank you,” I said, plucking one from the box and lifting it to my mouth. My teeth sank into the decadent goodness, and a moan left my lips. Flavours exploded on my tongue, and I closed my eyes.
“Wow, you're enjoying that.”
I didn’t speak until I’d polished off the cupcake, vowing to get some more.
“I need to buy some. Which bakery did you get them from?”
Enzo laughed and pushed the box towards me. “Here, have them. I’ll pick up some more.”
I stared at him as I took the box—no shame as I scooped up another one.
“Are you sure?” I asked through a mouthful of cupcake.
Enzo laughed again. “Yeah. I mean, you look like you need them. Have you eaten today?”
I nodded, scooping crumbs into my mouth. “Yeah… I just…need them.”
Enzo gazed at me, his eyes slowly working things out until he frowned. “Need cupcakes? Oh. Woman stuff.”
I forced myself to close the box, even though all I wanted to do was eat the others. But Enzo was looking at me like I was insane.
“Have you seen him?” I asked, holding the box close to my belly.
“Victor?” Enzo sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. He’s not doing well.”
A pang of sadness ached deep within me, but Victor had done this to himself.
“I thought he’d have shacked up with the home wrecker by now.” I shrugged, watching Enzo carefully for any sign that I was right.
If I was going to ask Victor to move home, I needed to be sure he wasn’t with that bitch.
God, I’ll kill him if he is.
“Nah, he’s not seeing her anymore. All the man does is work.”
I dropped my gaze, picking at the ribbon on the box.
“I’m pregnant,” I told him, as his eyebrows flew upward. “It’s Victor’s.”
“Shit,” Enzo muttered, dropping his head into his hands. “Fuck, Lila, I’m sorry.”
“I think you’re supposed to say congratulations,” I teased, punching him lightly on the arm.
Enzo paled. “Fuck, I didn’t mean—”
“I’m kidding,” I said softly. “At least, I’ll have something beautiful from all those years of marriage.”
Enzo groaned. “I’m sorry, Lila. Does anyone else know?”
“Vanessa and Victor. Their mom. You.” I smiled at him. “I just wish things were different.”
Enzo nodded and turned his gaze to the road, watching the cars drive by. “He fucked up.”
“He did.”
“But he loves you.”
“Enzo, if you’re going to try to convince me to take him back—” I began, placing my hand on his arm before he interrupted.
“No. I wouldn’t—I’m mad with him too. He really had it all.”
It touched me that Enzo felt that way.
“We weren’t perfect,” I confided, staring at the box of cupcakes. “But I didn’t realise things were that bad.”
Enzo shook his head and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I don’t think things could ever be that bad.”
I watched him as he continued. This man, my husband's best friend, who’d always been single as long as I’d known him. There’d been women, but no one special.
He was a handsome guy, and such a gentleman. I had no idea why he was alone in life. Maybe he preferred it that way.
“But I do think he regrets it, for what it’s worth.”
I snorted. “He lost his licence and his truck. That’s what he regrets.”
“You burned his truck.”
I winced. “I was pissed. Still am.”
Enzo held his hands up and chuckled. “Don’t go all mafia on me, will you?”
I laughed, and I felt my shoulders relax. “You’re safe. It’s Vanessa that’s the crazy one.”
At the mention of her name, his eyes misted over, a hum leaving his throat.
“She sure is. She just loves you.”
“She’s my ride-or-die.”
“And people will die.” Enzo laughed. “She’s loyal.”
But his eyes glittered fondly, and I couldn’t help myself.
“And single.” I paused. “Funny, both of you are.”
Enzo stared at me, the redness appearing back in his cheeks. “It’s not like that; she’s my best friend’s sister.”
“So?” I elbowed him. “I see the way you change when you talk about her.”
Enzo bowed his head, and I gasped. “I’m right!”
“Listen, it’s never gonna happen, but I appreciate your matchmaking skills.” Enzo rose to his feet, clearing his throat. “How’s the house sale going?”
I noted the change of subject but didn’t choose to pursue it. It was interesting though, and maybe Enzo was right, I could matchmake.
Just not when I felt like this.
“It’s not.” I sighed, rising to my feet, still clutching the box. “I’m taking it off the market.”
Enzo blinked. “You are? Can you afford to live there alone?”
“No,” I replied, giving him an exasperated look. “I need to speak to Victor about him moving back in to help with the bills until the baby arrives.” I exhaled heavily, watching as Enzo processed my words.
“Holy shit, he’ll be over the moon.”
“Yeah, well, the divorce is almost finalised, so hopefully he won’t get any funny ideas.” I shrugged. “Or I’ll burn the house down with him in it.”
“Jesus.”
“I’m kidding. I think?” I laughed as Enzo pretended to run away.
“You really should consider the mafia.”
“And you really should consider Vanessa.”
Enzo rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the stain of red on his cheeks. How had I never noticed this?
“Listen, I think it’s a wise move, asking him to move back in until the baby is born. It doesn’t mean you’re taking him back.”
Enzo reached out and hugged me, his warm embrace suddenly manly and… needed.
I didn’t need a man, but it sure was nice to be held by one sometimes. And his words comforted me too.
It didn’t mean I was taking him back, or that I was weak. And now that I’d told Enzo, it felt real.
I needed to call Victor.
Except… I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I drove home, devouring the cupcakes on the way. Chocolate frosting smeared over my lips, my tongue trying to catch it all as I pulled onto the drive.
Our house sat waiting for me.
Our. House.
I groaned and slid out the car, using my fingers to sweep up the remaining frosting,
I couldn’t stop replaying my conversation with Enzo, over and over again.
It doesn’t mean you’re taking him back.
This mattered because deep inside I questioned what Victor would take this as.
Not that it mattered—I would happily put him in his place if I needed to.
I tossed the cupcake box into the trash and picked up my phone, scrolling to the message thread with Victor.
I typed out a message, my hands trembling as Enzo’s words rang in my ears.
It doesn’t mean you’re taking him back.
And I hit send.