Page 232 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Mano didn’t answer. He just watched him, trying to understand where this was going.

“I thought it through,” Ody continued. “This is my final decision.”

“What decision?” Mano asked, his eyes narrowing.

“You asked me if I wanted you to stay or leave.”

Their eyes locked.

“I want you to go.”

Mano rolled his eyes, clearly exasperated.

“I want you to go to London. Sign the contract. That’s my answer.”

“Okay, Ody,” Mano said, like he’d heard this before. “You’re confused, I get it. But I told you—”

“No.” Ody cut him off. “This time, I’m clear. I want you to follow your dream.”

Mano blinked hard. “Yeah, but you said you can’t imagine your life without me.”

“So what, you’re doing me a favor?” he said, frowning. “You’re staying because I can’t live without you?”

“That’s not what I—”

“Do you love me?”

The question landed hard.

Mano’s eyes widened. He swallowed, his gaze flickering between Ody’s.

“Do you love me?” Ody asked again, slower this time. Steady.

Mano looked down, his expression tightening. “You know how I feel about you.”

“Do you love me?” Ody pressed, his voice quiet, unyielding.

Mano looked back at him. “You know how I feel about you,” he said, sharper this time.

Ody clenched his jaw, holding his gaze. Then he gave a faint nod and looked down, wetting his lips, biting the inside of his cheek to keep the tears back. “I want you to take your things from my place.”

Mano blinked. “What?” He stared at him, like he hadn’t heard right. “You’re joking, right?”

Ody held his gaze, unblinking.

“You’re the one who wanted us to move in together,” Mano said, his voice starting to shake.

“There’s no reason to keep living together if you’re leaving.”

“I told you I’m not leaving!” he said, loud enough to draw a glance from the next table.

Ody took a slow breath. “Even if you stay, we’re not living together anymore.”

Mano shook his head. “You’re messing with me… Tell me you’re messing with me, Ody.”

Ody didn’t react. “You were right. We can’t do long-distance. I can’t handle it. I want to see you, touch you. Seeing you every few months isn’t enough. Or whenever you come back to Greece… because I can’t afford to visit you.”

With every word, Mano’s expression hardened. “What the hell are you talking about?” he snapped. “This is bullshit. I told you I’m staying. Why are you doing this?”