Page 80 of The House Guest

Dorian nodded. “I understand. Thank you. It’s none of my business. I just want to know you’re happy and fulfilled.”

My cheeks flushed. “I feel like I’m on the hotseat.”

“I don’t mean to pressure you.”

“I never imagined I’d be sitting across from you again.”

“I know. It’s surreal. As much as I’ve imagined this moment, it still feels like an out-of-body experience. Of course, my biggest wish when everything resolved was that somehow I could work things out and come back to you. But since I discovered your situation, I’ve been working to accept that the happily ever after I wanted isn’t gonna happen.” He stared into the fire. “I debated not coming at all. I don’t want to disrupt your life. But ultimately, I couldn’t stand the idea of you believing I’d fallen out of love with you.”

“I’m not the same person anymore,” I confessed.

“Really? Or are you just saying that because it’s the safest thing to hide behind?” He turned to look at me. “And don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t blame you for that.”

After several seconds of quiet, he hit me with another question that was hard to answer.

“What’s going on with your art?”

“I haven’t painted formein years,” I admitted. “I have a business, though. I paint for kids. Faces. Animals. Caricatures. It does well.”

“That’s cool. But why aren’t you painting foryouanymore?”

How could I admit that every ounce of true creativity had been sucked out of me the day he ended things? That would be like pouring salt in his wounds.

“I lost my way, I guess.”

“That’s sad to hear. I’m sorry if I had anything to do with it.”

He knew. I couldn’t deny it. So I said nothing.

When I checked my phone, it was five minutes past the time I should’ve left to get Rosie. I jumped up. “I have to go.”

A look of panic bloomed on his face. “Already?”

“I don’t have much free time these days.”

He followed me toward the door. “I’d like to talk more.”

I looked away, unsure whether that was a good idea.

“Rosebud, look at me.” He reached his hand out and gently lifted my chin.

That simple touch nearly undid me.

“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me to,” he said, removing his hand. “I promise I’m not here to make trouble for you. I just need closure. I need to know there’s nothing left unsaid between us. And more than anything, I need to know you’re truly okay and happy.”

I nodded. Even though I hated keeping secrets from my family, I wasn’t ready to let him leave town just yet. “I can come back on Monday at the same time, so we can finish talking,” I said before I could think better of it.

Dorian let out a relieved breath. “That would be amazing, but only if you want to. I don’t want you to feel obligated.”

I opened the door. “I have to go.”

“Yeah. Of course. You shouldn’t be late to get her.”

Stalling for one more moment, I realized this doorway separated my old life from my new one, both equally precious to me for different reasons.

“Bye, Dorian.”

He followed me out to my car and stood at the edge of the driveway as I backed out.