Page 31 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Mano lowered his head, nudging a pebble forward with the tip of his shoe.

“I’m not asking for anything serious,” she added quickly. “I just… needed to get it off my chest.”

He kept his head down, saying nothing.

“So… will we meet when you’re back? Or did I weird you out?”

Mano looked up. “We’ll meet, Ranya.”

He heard the relief in her breath.

“Okay… I won’t keep you.”

The call ended soon after. Mano lowered his hand, still staring ahead.

Ranya had just confessed she was starting to feel something more for him, and all he could think about was Ody. About whatever this was between them.

A few seconds later, his phone rang again. Ody’s name lit up on the screen.

Mano answered, bringing it to his ear. “Yeah.”

“Where are you?” Ody asked. “You just disappeared.”

“Ranya called. I stepped out to take it.”

For a moment, Ody said nothing. “Are you coming back?”

Mano glanced ahead. “I ran into someone I know. I’ll hang out for a bit.”

“…Alright,” Ody said, slower this time. “Call me when you’re done. We’ll head back.” He stared at the screen after the call ended, only giving a brief answer when the group asked something.

His attention wasn’t there anymore.

Time passed and Mano didn’t call. Ody pushed to his feet. “I’m heading out.”

They complained, tried to get him to stay, but he barely heard them. His mind was on Mano. He walked off, dialing his number. He asked where he was so he could come get him. Ten minutes later, Ody found him. Mano got up as he approached, and they left without saying much.

They got in the car. Ody started the engine, glancing at him once, asking if he was okay, but Mano brushed it off. The rest of the drive passed in silence.

When they got back, Anastasia was the only one in the living room, half-watching TV, phone in hand. She greeted Mano, ignoring Ody completely.

They headed to the room, Mano asking to take a shower. Ody pointed him to the bathroom.

When Mano came out with a towel wrapped low around his waist, Anastasia turned toward him.

Her eyes widened. “Wow, you have tattoos?”

He offered her a quick, polite smile before stepping inside.

Ody was sitting on the bed, phone held up in front of him, video calling Anna. Mano shut the door and moved to his bag.

“Did someone come in?” Anna asked.

“It’s Mano.”

Anna kept talking on the other end, but Ody was no longer listening. Mano stood in the background, towel low around his waist, skin still damp.

Their eyes met. Then Mano turned the lock.