Page 38 of Love or Leave (Mapleton #4)

thirty-three

C ara walked into Monroe Manor and dropped her bag.

She'd blasted her music on the way home from the observatory, but not even the belting vocals of Adele could drown out Antonio's voice in her head, telling her he loved her.

Or that he was spaghetti.

Why was that the oddest, grossest, and most romantic thing she'd ever heard? She wished he'd hated the observatory and thought it was boring. But she knew he'd love it. She could see them together there—talking, touching, kissing.

Was it a mistake to tell him they should just be friends? Every part of her ached to go to him, fall back into his arms, and believe everything he said.

She shook her head and sighed as she took off her shoes. Even if he'd signed the divorce papers, and even was being honest with her and loved her, how could she tell it would last? How long would it be before Fran came knocking again?

"Cara?"

She turned away from the stairs at the sound of Willow's voice calling from the back of the house, but before she could reach her, all of her friends came rushing down the hall toward her.

Cara pulled up short, as if she was being ambushed. "What's this?"

They all searched around her, looking over her shoulder at the closed door.

"Are you alone?" Adam asked, his eyes wide.

"Obviously." What were they expecting?

"Where's Antonio?" Natalie asked.

Cara's eyebrows shot up. She took in the matching looks of confusion.

"Didn't he come see you tonight?" Chelsea asked.

Cara froze in her tracks and blinked. "How did you know?"

They all looked at one another, then back at her.

Cara zeroed in on Willow, knowing she seemed to be interested in her and Antonio getting together. "Willow, did you tell him where I'd be?"

Willow shook her head. "Not me."

"Then who—"

"I did," Max said.

She looked up over everyone's heads at Max. " You? "

Max nodded.

Cara stared at him, dumbfounded. "You?" she emphasized.

Max rolled his eyes. "Yes—me."

Cara narrowed her eyes at him, her mind running a mile a minute. "Did you tell him about the poker tournament, too?"

Another nod.

What in the? Now Max was playing matchmaker? For her and Antonio?

"Oh my God," Cara said, rubbing at the knot in her chest. She never thought Max would help Antonio date her.

How did Antonio pull that off?

"Please," Chelsea said, her face scrunched up. "Tell us what happened."

"He came to the observatory, and I called him a stalker," Cara said.

Natalie snorted a laugh. "Then what?"

"He said he missed me, and loved me, and was sorry, and I said we can be friends."

Her friends all winced in unison, discomfort passing through them like a wave.

"He said he loves you?" Willow asked.

Cara shrugged. "Yeah, but I don't know if I believe him."

Willow's jaw dropped.

"What? You all believe him?" Cara asked.

Everyone immediately nodded, but she tuned them out. The only person she looked at was Max. He stood still, holding her gaze.

"I thought this was what you wanted," Max said.

"You're actually okay with this?"

Max huffed out a sigh. "I'm still pissed that you both lied and snuck around, but yes—if it’s what you want."

Did she want to be with Antonio? Yes. But it was more complicated than that.

"I do," Cara finally said.

"Then what's the problem?" Max asked.

Cara dropped her chin. "He's too good of a liar. I don't even know what to believe anymore."

Max nodded. "You need a spreadsheet."

"Oh my—no," Adam said.

Max glared at him before turning back to Cara. "Fine, no spreadsheet. Let's just verbally go through the facts. One, he signed the papers."

"People remarry their exes all the time," Cara countered. "He's cheated before. Remember?"

Max shook his head. "You're not being fair. That was before, and he was in special fucked-up circumstances."

"He loves you and he's trying," Willow said. "Add that to the pros column."

"Con. He told me he rented that studio apartment so he could go home as soon as Fran agreed. Is he still there? Did he actually move into a new place?"

"No, he didn't," Adam said.

"See?" Cara said, tipping her chin up.

"He's living with his parents."

Cara stopped, and her face fell. "He is?"

"He gave up both apartments and moved in with them," Adam said. "Temporarily."

"Why?"

Adam nodded. "He's buying a place, asked if I could inspect it for him."

Cara’s heart stopped. "What about his old house?"

"It’s up for sale. There’s a sign already on the front yard. And he's not in the same place he was when you met him," Adam said. "Mentally, I mean. Or physically, too, I guess."

"Oh," Cara said, her mind whirling.

"So we'll move that to the pros side," Willow noted, continuing, "and another pro—you love him."

Cara sighed, remembering his touch and how calm and happy he made her feel. "I miss him."

All that came from Chelsea was an endearing, "Awww…"

The pros were definitely stacking up. Maybe Cara was being too hard on him.

If Max could forgive him and move on, why couldn't she?

Probably because she was scared. Breakups were hard, and she didn't want another broken heart, especially from someone she loved as much as Antonio. But she also wanted to be with him.

It was probably worth the risk. She knew she wanted to be with him—just the thought of it made her feel lighter than air.

"I think I can move past the event horizon," Cara said.

She was met with silence, and when she looked at her friends, they all had confused looks on their faces.

It didn't matter. She missed Antonio. She loved him. And if he'd gotten closure and moved on, leaving his old life behind, why shouldn't they give things another shot?

Even Max thought she should—and that was telling.

She turned around and pulled on her boots.

"Where do his parents live?" she asked.