Chapter 26 #2
A brief look of disappointment passed over Caleb’s face, but he recovered well. ‘Oh, that’s okay then. You won’t be alone.’
‘I won’t at all,’ Udeni said. ‘I have my sister.’
Vidya smiled her most ‘supportive sister’ smile. Caleb gave her a funny look.
‘I know,’ he said. He wrapped his fingers around the coffee mug and looked at Udeni over it. ‘So, tell me about yourself. What do you do?’
‘Er … I work in arts fundraising. I’m twenty-five. One sister, as you know.’ She gestured towards Vidya, who resisted the sudden urge to make jazz hands.
‘Well, I’m twenty-nine. Lawyer. Only child.’
They stared at each other for a moment, then Udeni giggled. Caleb laughed too. ‘I guess most people already find out this stuff before they have a baby together.’
Vidya relaxed. Laughing was good. They were getting on. She turned her gaze back to Leo and saw that he was watching them too. His expression was thoughtful. As though sensing her eyes on him, he looked in her direction, then almost immediately tensed and turned away.
Great. He really did think she was unstable and strange.
He looked down at his coffee and studied it with exaggerated interest. Vidya felt something shrivel up in her chest. Hope, she realised.
She had hoped that if Udeni and Caleb got on okay, she could try again with Leo.
But it seemed like she had blown her chances with him completely.
She hadn’t realised quite how badly she wanted things to go back to the way they had been.
Oh, they might make it to being friends again.
That was quite likely, in fact, since they were connected now, through her sister and his best friend.
But she wanted more. He made her feel like she was a delicate and beautiful creature.
He had looked out for her the whole time they’d been in Waterloo Bay, and he’d cared for her when she needed help.
She knew what it was like to kiss him, to feel his body against hers, and she wanted so much more of that.
She took a long look at him, trying to memorise the contours of his face. Then she too pretended to study her food, so that he wouldn’t see how close to tears she was.
***
Leo checked his watch. It had been the most excruciating half hour.
He was sitting across from Vidya, but he couldn’t work out how to talk to her.
They had sat there, quietly drinking coffee and eating soup respectively, contributing to the conversation if Caleb or Udeni needed them to, but otherwise, keeping to their own awkward bubble.
Vidya was clearly tired and sad. He should say something.
Maybe reassure her that things would be okay. But he just … couldn’t.
More than anything, he wished they could just scrub out the last few days, and return to that moment in the stairwell when she’d said she wanted him and he’d let her know that he wanted her just as much.
He wasn’t good at grand declarations at the best of times, and this was a complicated situation.
Vidya was a woman who knew what she wanted.
Judging by how intently she was avoiding eye contact, the last thing she wanted right now was him.
He didn’t blame her, not really. She’d left his hotel room, because she’d had a shock.
But what had he done at the time? He had had a massive sulk, left her behind and driven back.
He was her boss for that project, he was supposed to look after his junior colleagues.
He was better than that, normally, but he had lost his cool.
Leo sighed but tried to do it quietly. Checking the time, he cleared his throat. ‘I … er … I have a meeting in twenty minutes, so I really should be heading off.’
Caleb looked at the clock on the café wall. ‘Oh. Right. I need to be there too. I’m so sorry to cut this short,’ he said to Udeni.
They both stood up. Caleb said, ‘Um … can I have your number, Udeni? It … would be nice to get to know you properly.’ Was he flirting with her?
Spots of colour appeared on Udeni’s face. Oh. If Caleb was flirting, then it seemed to be working.
As Caleb and Udeni swapped phone numbers, Leo wondered if he could mend bridges with Vidya in the same way.
Maybe. Except he wasn’t sure he knew how to flirt.
Besides, he already had her phone number, and before he could say anything, it was time to leave.
He said polite goodbyes to the sisters and followed Caleb out.
As they were walking back to the office, Caleb said, ‘That went well.’
Not for Leo it hadn’t. But he was there for Caleb, so he said, ‘It did seem to. I don’t think you have to worry about the two of you getting along. I think if you’d met under different circumstances, you’d probably have asked her out anyway.’
Caleb nodded, enthusiastically. ‘She’s so pretty. And dainty. Exactly like I remember … apart from the blonde hair thing, obviously. I can’t believe I didn’t realise that was a wig.’
Leo tried not to roll his eyes. Alcohol. Low light. Lots of reasons for that. They kept up their brisk pace and turned the corner.
‘I think,’ Caleb said. ‘This might work out.’
‘Excellent. I’m happy for you.’ He really was.
‘We could have a relationship, we’re just going about it back to front.’
‘Most people meet, get to know each other, date a bit, then have a baby together. You’ll start at the baby and move backwards.’
‘Yes.’ Caleb stopped so suddenly that Leo carried on past him for a few steps before he turned back. ‘Leo,’ Caleb said, ‘when I saw her, I recognised her.’
Leo frowned. ‘That’s not that surprising …’
‘No, I mean I really recognised her. That connection.’ Caleb tapped his sternum. ‘I felt it here. I think we’re meant to be together. Even if we are doing this back to front.’ He beamed.
Leo stared at Caleb for a moment, breathing through the feeling that washed over him, which felt an awful lot like envy. ‘That’s fantastic.’
Caleb punched him lightly on the shoulder and strode into the building.
Leo followed. He had meant it. Caleb being happy really was fantastic.
His friend had always lived spontaneously, embracing things as they happened.
It wasn’t a lifestyle Leo could adhere to, but it seemed to have served Caleb well so far.
Maybe this chaotic beginning was the best way for him to find a long-term relationship.
If everything worked out, he could end up with a family that just sprang up from one night of fun.
Emotion wriggled inside him. Jealousy? Leo was surprised at himself.
Surely, he wasn’t jealous of Caleb’s current predicament.
He thought of Vidya and how inaccessible she’d seemed.
Maybe he was jealous. He wanted love and stability and, who knew, maybe a family eventually.
It had come so effortlessly to Caleb. But then, he jumped in, feet first, without overthinking it.
Leo walked into the building deep in thought. Perhaps it was time for him to take a leaf out of Caleb’s book. It was a risk to talk to Vidya about his feelings. But if he didn’t, he would hate himself for letting her go. He had to at least try.
He scanned his pass. He would ask her out. It seemed a little old fashioned, considering everything that had happened, but it was as good a way as any.
Things had gone wrong the first time because of an unfortunate mix-up.
But what if … Suddenly the thing that had been nagging at the back of his mind all day fell into place.
Vidya’s description that she had been given of Udeni’s one-night stand: Tall, funny, sexy and a good dancer. All those things apply to you too.
She had thought he was sexy. Leo looked down at his feet. Huh. A smile rose from somewhere in his chest and made it to his eyes. Maybe it wasn’t such a risk after all.
***
When the men left, Udeni let out a long breath and slumped in her seat. Her earlier brightness dimmed.
‘You okay?’ Vidya was worried again. Had all that relaxed happiness been an act?
Udeni nodded. ‘Let me just go to the loo.’
When she came back Vidya said, ‘So. That went well, I thought.’
‘It did,’ said Udeni. ‘I can’t believe I forgot him. I mean, how could I forget a guy who looks like that?’ She touched her tummy. ‘At least the baby will be beautiful.’
‘I’m glad it all worked out.’ The moment Vidya said it, she felt a rush of relief. It felt like a knot had been untied. ‘I’m really not built for keeping secrets,’ she said.
Udeni laughed. ‘I know. You were right though, and I’m glad I let you persuade me to meet him. He seems really excited at the idea of being a dad.’
‘I told you, he has … some hangups to do with fathers,’ said Vidya. ‘But I think they’ll result in him trying really hard, not anything bad.’
‘And what about you?’ Udeni tipped her head to the side and gave her a concerned look. ‘I noticed you and Leo didn’t talk to each other.’
‘Ah. Well, yes. That’s awkward.’
‘You should at least try to talk to him. Go for a drink or something? Clear the air.’
‘Maybe.’ Vidya gathered her stuff. ‘I’d better get back to work. I’ve been away too long. I’ll have to stay late to catch up.’
‘Okay. We won’t expect you home until late then. Text me when you leave.’
‘Will do.’ She gave her sister a little hug and practically ran back to the office.
Back at her desk, Vidya tried to focus, but in her mind’s eye she kept seeing Leo sitting stiff and uncomfortable across from her. What could she do about him?
When she had spoken to him earlier and cleared up the misunderstanding, she had got the impression that he was very relieved her reaction had been to his tattoo, and it wasn’t anything to do with him.
But it seemed that this wasn’t enough. Leo was still clearly uncomfortable around her.
She understood. He had opened up to her and she’d hurt him. He was reluctant to do it again.
She could ask Leo out, but she would have to persuade him to take another risk. What on earth could she do to show him that he could trust her?