Her Last Name, His Claim

heart was beating. Or maybe it was my

it, loud and clear, over the soft

ad gone cold, pretending to be calm. Five years

was

ect decor, soft jazz, impeccable service and

stage for

to speak, his presence alone commanded attention. Five years hadn't aged him. Same broad sho

beautifu

in his mouth still di

business. "But just in case you didn't, I brought the p

ven sit. "I

nd

bothered, acting like he had all the time in th

Enzo" I said. "It'

are," he murmure

for l

ng his arms on the table

? Fine. After you g

s?" I repeat

ears of silence. My wife vanished. You

" he added quie

led before remembering where we

t has to do with you. But I'm

eft before our story was finished. I'm

pped, standing. "And a therapist,

my nerves. "I'm not fighting you, Elena. I

s," I said, " I'm ma

ual as always. "But remember, it's a crime to marry when you're al

like I was choking. I

l off the engagement?" he said softly. "Stop stringing t

at my han

. Look at that awful ring. I gave yo

out my ring

My hands were shaking, but I wouldn't let

y outburst. "Notice how you misse

unbeli

leaning forward. "You us

ngs about you," I said quiet

Elena. Your eyes tell a different story even tho

causing him bodily harm, so I pushed the paper

p slowly and tore them one by

wrong with you, En

ut in. "Yo

breath brushing my cheek

badly, then you're going to play by my rules. Do as I

does bring out t

econd considered throwing it in his st

my cool, even though I kn

ng, furious. "You're pathetic,"

could reply, my heels c

orld around me moving on. A waiter pas

ept

rently being turned

Enzo, for holding me hostage in the past when I'm trying

ough the windows of Maplewood

e faint smell of books, old and new

nd of peace I built my life ar

reading event, humming along to the soft music in my headset. For a

a voice sai

t desk, pointing toward the hallwa

wned.

..tall, confident, and so out of p

y rott

d his way into

me now?" I asked,

You always did look goo

next stack of books going on the shelf. "If you're here

eautiful and that top is doing

up. Sign the papers

r dream job, huh? I remember how you used to talk my ears off about those novels you're

t he remembered. That tiny flicker of ten

quietly. "Don't

he said. "I came to ap

way for that? Yo

s eyes held mine. "I b

rply. "You're m

y did."

one buzzed on the desk. Nath

to sound steady. "Yeah, I'm at work. Th

nged. The softness was gone, replaced by

word, he turne

, phone still in my hand, w

ightened the books again and wh

in this time. I don'