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"I haven't stopped thinking about you."Leo's gaze was so intense I believed him.
"Excuse me," the waiter said, breaking our connection.
Leo released my hand and we waited while two glasses were poured and the waiter retreated, leaving us alone again.
"Tell me, Lexi, are you happy?"
I took a sip of my wine, letting it warm my throat as it slid down.I couldn't answer him.
"I can see the answer.You don't have to say it," he said."But if you tell me I'm wrong, that you're happy, I'll leave you alone."
"It's not that easy, Leo."
"It is.You deserve to be happy.You deserve everything.Does he make you happy?"
His eyes were full of question and something else.Was it hope?I could've lied to him.Maybe I would have if I thought he'd believe me.
"No," I said.
He picked up his glass of water, leaving his wine untouched."Then leave him."
"It's not that simple, Leo."
"It can be.Life is too short to be unhappy.You deserve so much—"
"We have a child," I said quietly."His name is Ben."
I held my breath, waiting for his reaction.Would he remember how badly I'd wanted a family?What it meant to me?I couldn't read his expression.I waited.
Finally, Leo said, "A son.You have a family."
I nodded and tried to smile."Yes."
"I remember," he said to my unspoken question."That's why you were here, besides Nicole's birthday, of course," he added.
"We were separated.Andrew didn't want children."
"I guess he changed his mind," Leo said with a tinge of regret.
"When I went home, he was there, waiting.He wanted to—"
Leo shook his head."You don't have to explain.I get it.I was just a fling.A diversion while you were in Vegas.I get it, Lexi."
Hurt marred his features.I could see the struggle on his face, but he didn't look away from me.My heart felt like it was cracking in two; the ache in my chest was so real I had to fight back tears.I reached for him across the table and cupped his strong hands in mine.I held them tightly, feeling the heat from him.
"No," I said.I stared straight into his eyes, willing him to understand."It wasn't like that and you know it.I can't explain it any more than you can.But do you really think I'd be sitting here with you right now if all you were six years ago was a fling?"
He didn't answer and when he tried to look away, I squeezed his hands again.
"So that's why you stay?For your son."
I swallowed hard."He's the only father Ben knows," I said."I was trying to keep my family together, but..."
"What?"
"He's not the father I imagined for my son.That's the problem, he's not—"
I broke off when Leo turned away from me again.
