Page 60 of Let's Call a Truce
“Boston is wonderful, but I wanted to try another place for college. Orlando seemed like a big enough change, and the architecture program at Chadoin College is great.”
“But seasons and history!” He chuckled at my outburst.
“It doesn’t seem as impressive when you grow up with it. And I wouldn’t trade the mild Florida winters for anything, even if it becomes hell itself in July and August.”
We made it back to the hotel right around the girls’ bedtime, and we went into his room to FaceTime them. He took the stiff chair set up at the desk, and I perched myself on the edge of his bed trying not to think about what he’d do here when I left the room. Would he take a shower, slide his clean body between the cold sheets? What would he wear—or would hewear anything? Would he go right to sleep, or would he need to slake some of the tension from our day?
Would he think about me?
My mom’s smiling face filled the screen and broke through my thoughts. “Hello, sweetheart! Perfect timing. The girls are about to finish getting ready for bed. How did today go?”
“It was great. Ben is here, too, so he can talk to Paris after I’m done with the girls.” I needed to slip it in quickly. Otherwise, she’d start going off about how handsome and respectful he is, and his head would grow even bigger.
Clara grabbed the phone from her before she replied. “Mom, guess what happened at school?”
“Wait, I have something to tell her.” The phone started flipping around as Sophie wrestled for control. The two of them animatedly told me about their days, jumping in over each other, making me laugh even while tears pricked my eyes.
“I miss you girls so much, and it’s only been a day.”
“We miss you, too, Mommy.” Sophie huddled up next to Clara as they wished me good night.
I handed the phone off to Ben as Paris got on, and her sweet voice rang out from the other end of the line. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Hey there, angel. How are you doing?”
“I’m okay. I really, really miss you, though.”
“I miss you, too, Paris. Do you want me to call you tomorrow morning before you go to school?”
“Will you?”
“Of course. I’ll call you as many times as you want me to.”
“And you’ll be back in four days, right?”
“Yes, angel, I’ll be back in four days.”
“And you promise you’ll come back?” There was desperation in her voice, and I wondered where it was coming from. It seemed more than typical.
“Look at me, Paris.” Ben paused, and I assumed he waswaiting for her to meet his eyes. “I swear to you I will always come back. You are the most important thing in my life, and nothing could keep me from coming home to you.” His voice had a sharp edge, and I noticed tears swimming in his eyes.
“I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too, angel.” They said goodbye, and my girls piled back into the screen for one more round ofI love yous.
Once the call disconnected, Ben dropped his head into his hands.
“I’m sure you’re wondering what that was about.”
Of course I was wondering. But I didn’t want him talking to me about it because he was cornered, so I gave him an easy out. “It’s none of my business. I understand if you don’t want to share it with me.” At that, Ben lifted his head, his eyes swimming with emotion.
“The truth is, Juliana, I want to share everything with you. I want this. I want us. Not a one-night stand or a couple of hookups in my office that we never talk about again. And that means sharing all of my past, even if it’s hard for me. If you are willing to hear it.”
I nodded as I held his gaze but stayed quiet, giving him the space to share his story. He stared off for a few minutes.
The sounds of the city filtering in through the hotel windows highlighted just how quiet the room was while I waited for him to speak. Honking horns pounded in my head. Laughter and cheering from groups of drunken college students—even so early in the night—made my body tense, like their revelry was a threat to the temporary peace Ben and I had established in the past week. A siren blared in the distance, and I idly wondered if they were rushing to our hotel for me. I was sure my heart was going to give out if I had to wait much longer for whatever Ben had to say. Something he considered serious enough to scare me away.
“I don’t talk about this to most people. It was and still is hard on my daughter, and it feels like a betrayal of her trust to share this part of her life with people who don’t need to know.
