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Right now, I’d give anything to be seated next to her on said swing. Rushing here simply made more sense. I didn’t want to impose on my mom, plus I have an upcoming gig at Versailles. Then, I have no clue what to do with my life; Ash turned it upside down and I’m left to pick up the pieces.
Fuck my life!
“What can I say? You’re always welcome here, but from what you’ve disclosed, my advice would be to confront Ash first, then come here to celebrate when you’re back together!”
“Which part of the ‘we’re no longer an item’ did you not understand?”
“Ohhh, Iheardyou loud and clear. But what I’mseeingeven clearer is a very hurt boy who’s still in love. It’s a first, Nino. A first! It’s priceless. Don’t give up on it because of a bump in the road.” I open my mouth to argue, but she doesn’t give me the opportunity, raising her hand to shush me. “Listen, I don’t know exactly what happened between you two, and I don’t need to. You wouldn’t be this miserable if Ashton weren’t to blame… He obviously fucked up—”
“Manman!” Believe it or not, my mom’s faith forbids her from swearing, and that’s why she scolds me when I often do.
“Well, did he or did he not?” She sighs when I nod in agreement. “Look, I understand that you’re going through a rough patch.”
“I saw him lip-locked with his ex,Manman.”
“Ohhh…”
“Exactly!”
Another sigh leaves her mouth. “Did you confront him?” I reluctantly admit how shock took over. “Nino Ludovic Joseph Toussaint!” Ohhh, she’s super pissed; she hasn’t called me by my full name since the day Mister Toussaint Senior left. “Who taught you to run from your problems? Who taught you that’d make them go away? Who taught you to believe that love wasn’t worth fighting for? Certainly, not me!”
“But he cheated on me and betrayed everything we built tog—”
“Enough, Nino. I know how you avoided commitment like the plague to guard your wounded heart… but listen to me. I cannot believe you’d fall for and be fooled by a careless man. This doesn’t have to be history repeating. Ashton Cooper isnotyour father.”
“Lip-locked with his ex,Manman!” I repeat in an angry growl at the recollection. Confront him. Rough patch. In love. What sort of nonsense is this? There’s no plausible explanation for what I saw. “Lip-locked… What do you call it then?”
Her reply is full of hope that I don’t have.
“A mistake.”
* * *
Ash
At 9:25 pm local time, my Uber driver drops me off in front of Nino’s former building. I’m freshly showered. I’m neatly groomed. I’m not actually rested, since I tossed and turned all night after checking into my hotel, then dozed off all day instead of sightseeing.
What if he’s not in Paris? What if he’s not staying at Garcia’s? What if he won’t hear me out?
Straightening my posture, I gather the meager confidence I’ve collected and wait for a sign. By sign, I mean someone to let me into the building because Tom’s bright idea didn’t include a keypad code at the front door. My ego is boosted when two young guys exit five minutes later. The heavy blue wooden door takes forever to close, giving me ample time to slide in and add an unspoken pep talk to the mix. If I have to fight for the man that I belong with, so be it.
I may be a submissive, but I’m far from spineless.
Huffing and puffing, I awkwardly climb the narrow staircase with Nino’s belongings in hand. So much for extra workouts to blow off steam! The more stairs I ascend, the tenser I grow. God bless these old buildings, which list tenants and corresponding floor number.
As I face a deep red door, I catch my breath, ring the bell, and steel myself.
“Colis pourNino Toussaint,” I blurt out in French. Practice didn’t make perfect, so I keep it as short as possible, rather than adding details about this delivery.
Bouncing from one foot to the other, I ring again and wait endless seconds until the door slowly opens to a brow-furrowed Nino. His lips part. His eyes narrow. His body stills.
A small smile flashes on his tired face when he notices the HIMYM shirt I’m sporting. I suppress the grin that threatens to break through when I recognize the show playing in the background. I pay closer attention to the muffled noise of the TV. One of Barney Stinson’s characteristic comebacks about how searching for one thing tends to lead to the discovery of another.
Right!
I can’t let this opportunity slip through my fingers. We both experienced a relationship like never before, and we deserve more. Nino appeases me and gives me a sense of purpose. Handing him the reins of control is just the spicy cherry on a tasty sundae. The odds aren’t playing in my favor right now, but I’m here to remedy that and prove that I’m here for the long haul. He’s no rebound; he’s it for me.
His Adam's apple bobs as he takes me in, licking his lips.
