Page 71 of Right Where I Want You

“I’m sorry. I’m assuming there’s nocure.”

“No, it’s progressive.” Absentmindedly, I ran my fingernails through Bruno’s fur. “I took him to one of the best veterinary heart specialists—in Boston, actually,” I said, glancing up. “All we can do is manageit.”

“Does your ex still seehim?”

“He wasn’t really a dog person.” We parted as two young boys in matching sweaters ran between us. “My decision to adopt was actually a point of contention forus.”

“Howcome?”

“Neal didn’t want a dog at all, let alone Bruno. He thought he was weak.” At least, that’s what my therapist and I had worked out. Neal had a penchant for zoning in on a person’s failings—and sometimes exploiting them. Sebastian and I paused at a cart of books the park had set up along with bright green bistro tables and chairs for reading. “Then there was the process, costs, shorter lifespan. The fact that he wasn’t a puppy. It didn’t make sense to Neal, and I guess it wouldn’t to most people,but. . .”

Across the water, the shimmering Financial District skyline rose tall behind Sebastian. “But?”

“It didn’t seem fair to put down a dog because he was going to die anyway. He could still live a fulfilling life.” I traced a couple book spines. “It’s not the reason Neal and I broke up, but looking back, I always resented him for trying to talk me out of it. And I’m glad I didn’t let him, because Bruno’s still here, yearslater.”

Sebastian held open a copy of1776, but his eyes remained on me. “Why’d you breakup?”

Myweaknesses. I’d boiled it down to that through therapy, and Sebastian would eventually make the connection too. For now, it was too embarrassing toadmit.

Sensing my hesitation, he added, “I’ll tell you why I broke up with my lastgirlfriend.”

My first reaction was to make a joke, but as soon as the temptation passed, curiosity took its place. “I’m not sure that’s a fair trade. Your last girlfriend was probably in and out in aweek.”

“Believe me, it’s a fairtrade.”

It was something I never would’ve shared with Sebastian before today. Maybe even before this moment, so I gave him the easy answer. “He left me for someoneelse.”

His eyebrows cinched as if I’d responded in Greek. “Did hecheat?”

“Not according to him.” I hoped I could blame my reddening cheeks on the sunny day. “She was his study partner. He fell for her ‘spirit.’ I think that just means she knew how to say no tohim.”

Sebastian caught Opal gnawing on a bottom shelf book spine and tugged her away. “He might like that now, but he won’tforever.”

It gave me some comfort to have Sebastian side with me for once. “He didn’t. They weren’t even together two months. What was your reason for breaking upwith. . . ?”

“Wendy,” he said as we continued walking. “My mom didn’t likeher.”

I refrained from laughing. After the battle of the sexes we’d been through, I wouldn’t have pegged him as a mama’s boy. While it was noble, I wondered why her approval meant that much to him. “That was the onlyreason?”

“Nah, it’s a bit more complicated thanthat.”

“I had a feeling,” Isaid.

“I have a feeling there’s more to your storytoo.”

Tit for tat. I wouldn’t get an explanation if I didn’t give one. And I wasn’t sure how I felt about confessing how weak I’d been—all the reasons Neal hadn’t seemed to thinkIhadspirit.

Ahead of us, a crowd cheered. Docked between piers, a boat with a yellow-and-white striped awning was full of people our age in coats and sunglasses, all holding cocktails. Some gathered at the bow, looking over the side, and others crowded around the bar in the center. “It’s a boat that’s a bar,” Isaid.

“Up for adrink?”

We headed for a grassy hill under a tree. “There’s no way they’ll allowdogs.”

“Then we’ll tie them up for a fewminutes.”

I smiled. “Over my dead body. Bruno has separationanxiety.”

“Bruno? Or you?” Sebastian squatted to tie Opal’s leash around a trunk. “It’ll be good for Bruno,” he said. “It’s like that thing new moms do where they let the baby cry in their crib to toughen themup.”