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"Thanks man."
"So uh ... how or when are you planning to propose?"
"I have something special in mind," I say as I stand up to leave, grateful that Kevin and I have worked things out.
Chapter Eight
Amanda
My phone rings. It's Samantha. I'm not in the mood to talk to anyone so I let the phone ring. I've been trying to avoid my colleagues at the office for over a week now. Although I called in sick and told Samantha that I needed some time away from work, she hasn't stopped calling to check on me. I wonder if she knows about Leonardo and I.
Leonardo … oh Leonardo.
Tears roll down my cheeks as I think about him. Being away from him hurts so much but I can't be with him now, not after what happened with my dad. He's called almost a million times and been to my condo on several occasions, but I never answered his calls or opened the door. What would I say to him? It’s all such a mess; the way Dad looked at me and then he punched Leo … I doubt we’ll ever be able to be together again. I haven't even told Rochelle. I understand how this must seem to Dad. He'll think I'm paying him back for what happened with Rochelle. That isn't the case. But will he believe me? And what about Rochelle?
My doorbell rings. I wait for a few minutes hoping that whoever it is will get tired of waiting and leave. The doorbell rings again. I sluggishly stand up and look into my gold rimmed mirror. The person staring back at me has disheveled hair and a wet puffy face. I couldn’t care less about appearances right now as I head to the door.
"Who is it?"
"Amanda? Rochelle? It's Dad."
"Ohh," I gasp in excitement as I open the door.
"Hi honey," he says with a sad smile and I hug him tightly as I burst into tears.
"Ohh daddy... I'm sorry... I should have ..."
"No honey. I should be the one apologizing. I should have given you a chance to explain."
"I understand why you didn't," I say looking up at him. It's the same way I had reacted.
He pulls me into the living room and sets me down on the couch. He takes my hand and wipes my tears with his free hand.
"I'm sorry I haven’t been in touch. I just needed time to process things."
"I understand, Dad. I just feel so horrible."
"Please don't."
"I do, Dad. You and Leonardo have been friends for ages, but now … because of me ..."
"Leonardo and I have worked things out."
"What?" I ask, blinking as tears blur my vision.
"Yeah. We talked yesterday. Honey, I understand how you feel and if you truly love him and want to be with him, it's perfectly fine. I just want you to be happy. It will be awkward and it’ll take some getting used to, but I won't stand in the way of the two of you being together."
I stare at him in disbelief then hug him in a tight embrace, grateful that his friendship with Leonardo is no longer in jeopardy.
"Thank you, Daddy. I love you so much. I've been so scared thinking that I disappointed and hurt you."
"You could never disappoint me, honey." He takes my hands, then looks at me sternly. "Now, you have to stop avoiding Leonardo before he goes completely insane."
We laugh as all the tension and pain I have carried in my heart for days finally melts away. The only thing that remains is the pain of being apart from him for so long.
Moments after my dad leaves, I think about everything he said to me. The fact that Leonardo is willing to fight for our relationship makes me love and long for him all the more.
I take a shower and fix myself up. I get dressed, put on some make up and leave my condo. As I open the front door to the building, I’m surprised by the pouring rain and instantly regret not grabbing an umbrella. The car isn’t parked far away though. I look across the road and shriek—
