32 #5
“Well, we tend to spend a lot of time at my home and he works most weekends. It just never really became an issue,” Cosimo replied quietly, clearly uncomfortable with the interrogation and thankful his mother wasn’t here.
“Have you met his family?” Jerome asked.
“No. They, um… well they’re not tolerant of James’ lifestyle choice. He has nothing to do with them, since he came out. He’s used to going it alone. So you see he never pushed to meet any of you.”
“That’s awful.” Arsenio shook his head. “How can people do that? I mean, I get it’s hard for you to get your head around, but to cut you off? And he’s so nice. I mean really nice.”
“You should bring him down Cos. Really. I’d love to meet him.”
“I’m not sure. What about Mama? I don’t want her to get upset.”
“She won’t get upset. She’ll be happy if you are, trust me.”
Arsenio leaned back in his chair and huffed, “Things are certainly changing around here.”
“What do you mean?” Cosimo tilted his head towards Arsenio.
“Well Mama’s got a new boyfriend. You’re contemplating introducing your new beau to us…”
“You’ll be telling us you’ve finally found some poor woman to settle down with next,” Jerome joked.
“Steady on. Don’t overdo it!” laughed Arsenio. “The end of this year is closing in and it looks like the new one’s going to be decidedly more exciting. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Well, I think I’ve had my fill of excitement for this year.
I’ll be glad to see the back of it. I’m hoping for a much more sedate year, next year.
” Jerome stood up from his chair and pursed his lips.
“I’m afraid I need to get off. The kids will be home and I want to spend a few hours with them before I need to get back here. ”
Jerome said his goodbyes to his brothers and headed out of the restaurant.
“Did he say anything?”
Cosimo shook his head. “Just that they were both trying to sort things out and he was as much to blame as she was.”
“In other words he’s still clueless.”
“Yep. I’m hoping for that Christmas miracle.”
“Yeah me too.”
DANI STORED ALL HER Christmas presents that she’d bought into her wardrobe and flopped onto her bed, glad she’d managed to get all of it done today.
She had roughly two hours before she needed to be at work.
Dani looked at her phone again and checked her messages.
Over the last week, Jez had been sending her several messages.
He’d realised that if he wanted her attention, nasty texts were not the way to go.
His texts had been more informative, keeping her up to date with what was happening at the bar, about customers she knew.
Some were sweet and some focused on the good memories that they had shared over their five years together.
She didn’t answer any of them and was secretly impressed at his persistence.
The message she’d received this morning was again sweet, wishing her a good day and that he was thinking of her with Christmas around the corner, knowing it was hard for her at this time of year.
Jez also mentioned that he would have the money for her by the ninth of January.
The bank had confirmed it today and he had emailed her the letter of confirmation and the exact amount.
Dani pulled up her laptop and turned it on. Once it had logged on to her email account she opened up the email with the attached letter. As well as the letter there was also a link. The email read:
As you know, I’m not so good with words but this song pretty sums up how I feel.
I know you can’t forget what’s happened but please forgive me. You mean everything to me and I know I’ve ruined what we had. At least can we be friends? I can settle for that. I hate to think after everything we’ve been through we can’t be friends.
Jez xx
Dani scanned over the letter and forwarded it to Adam, then she moved the cursor over the link and let it hover for a moment, unsure if she wanted to hear, whatever the song was.
She’d come a long way in the six weeks that she’d left London, but she still wasn’t sure if she was strong enough to deal with Jez.
He’d meant everything to her and without him she would never have got through her mother’s illness and consequent death.
Dani knew she owed him for that, he’d filled a gap in her life and supported her at her lowest. Yes, he’d made mistakes, huge and unforgiveable mistakes and Dani was sure his motives were less than honourable, even now.
But there was no denying it, in the five years they’d been together he’d been the centre of her world.
Dani looked back at the screen and took a deep breath, then clicked onto the link.
Dani’s heart clenched as she heard the familiar refrain of Maps.
Her whole body covered in goose bumps as she read the lyrics that flashed onto the screen to the sound of Adam Levine’s distinctive voice, singing about being there for her in her darkest time and where was she when he was on his knees? Why did she run away?
Tears sprung involuntarily into her eyes at the poignant words, and trickled down her face.