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He’s quiet for a moment. Then eventually he replies.
Henry: I’ve waited this long for you. I can wait a few more - what? Days? Weeks? Months?
Me: I don’t know, but not months. It’s just that it’s Christmas, and there’s Damon’s wedding, and it’s just a horrible time to break up.
Henry: There’s no good time.
Me: Yeah, I know. I’m being unfair to you. I realize that.
Henry: It’s all right. I’ve been there. I understand.
I start crying.
Me: I’m so sorry.
Henry: Look, you know where I am if you need me.
Me: Okay.
Henry: Just take care of yourself.
It feels like an ironic thing to say when I feel sick and my head’s banging like a bass drum.
Me: I’ll see you on the 28th?
Henry: Are you bringing Cam?
Me: I don’t know.
I can imagine him gritting his teeth and closing his eyes in frustration. I feel terrible. I should tell him that I’m going into the spare room now and I’m going to tell Cam it’s over. But I can’t, three days from Christmas. I just can’t.
Henry: Okay. I’ll see you then. One last thing.
Henry: I’m in love with you. Remember that.
I shake my head and give a short laugh.
Henry: Meri Kirihimete.
Me: Meri Kirihimete.
I turn off my phone and put it on the bedside table.
Before I lie back, I open the drawer and take out the velvet box.
Bringing the box beneath the duvet, I crack the lid and study the lotus flowers. They’re absolutely beautiful.
After a while, I close the box again, but I don’t put it back in the drawer. I curl up with it still in my hand, turn off the light, and slide down under the duvet.
I’ve forgotten to close the curtains. The moon hangs outside, almost full, like a silver bauble.
I open the box and watch the diamonds glitter like little fragments of moonlight.
I fall asleep holding it, thinking not of the man who’s sleeping twenty feet away, but of the one with the dark hair that falls across his forehead, and a pair of dark-blue eyes blazing into mine.
Chapter Twelve
Henry
