Page 146 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Mano turned back to her, watching the tear slip down her cheek.

Her phone buzzed.

Nicky: I’m ready. Where are you?

Anna stood after reading the message. Mano’s eyes followed her.

“My friend’s here. I should go.” She hesitated, then looked at him. “I didn’t expect you to answer me. But… thanks for listening.”

He didn’t respond.

“I just need one favor,” she added. “Don’t tell Ody. Not that you saw me, not what I said. If someone’s going to come clean, it has to be him.”

Mano nodded. “I won’t say anything. I promise.”

She gave him a small, sad smile. “Thanks. See you.” She walked away.

Mano stayed where he was, alone on the bench. He leaned back, his breaths uneven.

Anna knew. She’d figured out Ody was seeing someone else. And still, she didn’t know the truth about what was really going on. Just like Ody was pretending with her, she was doing the same, holding on so she wouldn’t lose him.

“Where were you?” Nicky asked as she saw her walking over.

“I was talking to Mano.”

Nicky slowed. “Ody’s friend?”

“Yeah.”

She glanced at her. “And? Don’t tell me you asked him if Ody’s seeing someone else.”

Anna didn’t answer right away. “I did.”

Nicky let out a short breath. “Come on, Anna. Now he’s gonna tell him everything.”

“He promised he wouldn’t.”

Nicky gave her a look. “And you believed him? If someone told you something like that about me, wouldn’t you run straight to me? That’s what best friends do.”

“I don’t think he’ll break his promise. But even if he does… At least Ody will know I’ve figured it out. Maybe he’ll finally talk to me.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want?” Nicky asked, softer now. “What if he tells you he’s with someone else? What if he wants to break up?”

Anna shook her head. “No. If that were the case, he would’ve done it already.” She looked ahead. “He’s not breaking up with me because he doesn’t want to. It’s just some fling.”

Even she didn’t sound convinced.

“You haven’t had sex in ages,” Nicky said quietly. “You told me he barely even kisses you anymore.”

Anna looked down, biting her lip, holding back tears. “No,” she said, more to herself than anything. “Ody loves me.” She took a small breath. “You’ll see. He’ll come back.”

After signing up at the gym, Mano went home. He dropped onto the couch, his mind spinning. Anna’s face wouldn’t leave him. The way her voice had cracked, the way she still held on.

He knew he was part of it. Ody had pulled away because of him.

How could he do that to someone?

Two-and-a-half years… and he’d walked in and messed everything up in a few months.