As we were heading out the door to grab dinner, Leandro paused. “I have to return to Geneva next week.”
Not again, I thought.
“Geneva?” Jourdanne asked.
“I don’t know if I can stay here,” I said. I shook my head at the idea of being alone again, especially after everything we’d just shared. “Your mother called the other day, and I had to pretend to be a repairman.”
Leandro leaned back with a furrowed brow. His eyes traced the floor for a pause, then that gaze of his, firm and curious at the same time, hit me hard. “You did?”
I nodded.
“I’m so sorry.”
I thought about everything that had happened between the three of us, and how much Leandro had started to see things differently. I had asked him to go along on his trips many times before, and each time I got the same answer. But it was always worth asking again.
“Why don’t I just come with you this time?” I said to Leandro, fully prepared to plea my case, but he smiled back at me without a word. “What?”
“I think it’s a good idea.”
“You do?”
“Yes.” Leandro opened the door for us to go out to the car. “We’ll all go.”
JOURDANNE
Geneva was beautiful all over again. I had a hard time believing I wasn’t dreaming. We landed around one in the afternoon, and from the airport, Leandro took us to have drinks at a historical pub in the heart of the city. Then we went around sight-seeing for a couple of hours. The day was just gorgeous. Warm, but not too hot, with a light breeze and a decent amount of sunshine. Everything was perfect.
At the hotel, Leandro had arranged for a group room this time, with one oversized king bed for us to share. It was great to have them both close after everything that had happened recently. Matt was endearing and kind-hearted, and Leandro was a stern protector and provider. I never would have dreamed of being with two men at the same time—especially when they were already in love each other. Sometimes, we just don’t know where life will take us.
“Leandro, this place is magnificent.” Matt was completely in awe. He was so adorable! He walked around the hotel room with his hands over his mouth. First, he gawked at the grandeur and details of the room. The golden accents around the mirrors and dressers, the elaborate carvings on the bedposts. Then he went to the balcony and looked out over the city. Speechless for a moment, Matt turned to face me and Leandro with sheer satisfaction in his eyes. “Thank you for allowing me to come.”
Leandro went over to Matt and held his face in his hands. “Thank you for sticking with me all this time.”
Matt leaned into Leandro and kissed him. His hands slid up Leandro’s shirt and to his hair, holding tight.
After they parted, Matt drew a grin. “I’ll always stick with you. Always.”
Their lips met once more, then there was a knock on the door.
“I’ll get it,” I said, then went and opened the door to a man with an envelope. “Thank you.” After closing the door, I turned to find Leandro walking up to me. He took the envelope and opened it. His smile turned to dismay as he read over whatever was in the letter.
Matt came close. “What is it?”
Leandro looked up at me for a pause. His back was to Matt as he folded the letter and placed it back inside the envelope. Then he donned a grin and faced Matt. “Nothing.” Leandro grabbed his jacket from the side chair near the dresser and faced us with an uneasy smile. It was a forced smile to be honest. Leandro was unhappy about something, but he wasn’t willing to share it with us. “Let’s go out on the town. The meeting isn’t until tomorrow. We can enjoy the city before jetlag sets in.” Leandro hurried to the door, but I stepped in his way.
“Nope.” I shook my head. Raising my brow, I glanced at the letter Leandro had started to tuck in his jacket pocket. Matt was watching from over near the bed. “What’s going on?”
“Jourdanne, I don’t think—”
“No,” Matt interrupted. “Don’t shut us out. Something in that letter upset you.” He came over to me as we both waited for Leandro to explain.
Leandro sighed. “I don’t want to ruin things. We’re all so happy.”
“We are,” I said as I motioned between Matt and me. “But you aren’t. Maybe we can help. I don’t want to see you upset all night.”
Leandro’s lips curled into a smile. This time his smile was real.
Leandro took the envelope from his jacket and handed it to Matt. Then Leandro went and sat on the bed as me and Matt read over the letter.
“How can this be?” Matt turned to question Leandro. “After everything you’ve done for them?”