Page 171 of Romeo

Ma Belle: I wanted you here.

Fuck.

Me: Fuck, Cher. I want to be there.

Ma Belle: I shouldn’t have assumed it would be soon.

Me: You didn’t assume. I told you I would come.

Ma Belle: It’s not your fault.

Me: Doesn’t mean I don’t hate disappointing you.

Ma Belle: I’m not angry.

Me: I’d almost rather you were.

Anger I understood. Anger came out swinging and gave a man something to push against.

Ma Belle: I’m just tired of missing you.

I read that twice.

Me: You think I don’t feel the same?

Ma Belle: Sometimes I don’t know what you feel.

That one landed deep inside my chest. For more than half a year, I’d been so damn careful about giving Fiona space that maybe I’d created too much of it. I knew exactly what I felt. She only knew what I let her see.

Me: Then let me make this one clear. I’m not staying away because I want to. I’m handling what I have to so nothing follows me when I finally come to you.

Ma Belle: When will that be?

Me: The first minute I can get free.

Ma Belle: Promise?

I stared at the question.

Me: Ma Belle, there is nothing in this world that could keep me from you forever.

Ma Belle: That wasn’t what I asked.

A laugh escaped me despite everything. My woman was fucking smart. She wasn’t letting me charm my way around the question.

Me: Yes. I promise.

Ma Belle: Okay.

Me: That one still sounds sad.

Ma Belle: It is.

Me: I’ll make it up to you.

Ma Belle: How?

Me: I’ll think of something.