He now realized that he had been pretending to have feelings for Barbara all long.
But he wasn't sure if he liked Myra either.
——
That evening after having dinner with her father Raymond and stepmother Cissy, Myra went to her room and had realized how much she had missed it.
The quiet. The familiar smell of lavender on the curtains. She lay on the bed and at that moment remembered how she had made love to Leo just the previous day before they got into the argument.
She remembered how they kissed, how his hands had found hers in the dark, how everything between them had felt inevitable for a few hours.
She touched each part of her body absentmindedly as she got up, changed, and headed to have a shower. But while she scrubbed, she stopped each time she reached a spot Leo had touched and kissed the night before. Her skin still remembered him, even if her pride didn't want to.
She finished showering, water dripping down her shoulders, and found her phone already on the bed where she'd left it. She picked it up and unlocked it.
She was mad at Leo. Furious, even. But for a second, her thumb hovered over his name. She almost texted him. Almost told him she missed the way he said her name when he was out of breath.
Then the thought hit her like cold water: he must be with Barbara now.
I should forget him, she thought. She tossed the phone down, turned off the light, and closed her eyes.
Sleep didn't come easy, but pretending it would was easier than admitting she still wanted him to call.
***
The following morning, Barbara woke up and padded to the living room. The house was quiet except for the low hum of the fridge. She made for the washroom first, but as she passed the window, she stopped.
Outside, Leo was bent over the hood of her car, sleeves rolled up, talking to another man. They were fixing the battery.
She called out, "Leo?"
No response. He didn't hear her over the sound of the wrench.
Barbara smiled despite herself. She watched them for a moment, then turned back inside. On the dining table sat a plate with breakfast still warm and a folded note beside it. She sat down, unfolded the note, and read it quickly. The corners of her mouth lifted. She ate slowly, savoring it more than the food.
When she was done, she went back upstairs and changed into her clothes for the day. Just as she was fixing her hair, she heard the front door open and close.
Leo walked in, wiping his hands on a rag.
"You're awake?" he asked.
"Yes," she said. "I even took breakfast. It was so nice."
He set the rag down and smiled. "Glad you loved it. We've finished fixing the car."
"Thank you so much," she said softly.
He hesitated, then offered, "I can drive you to your place."
She shook her head.
"No, it's too late for that. I'll just go to the company. You know Myra isn't around so I've been handling most of the things."
Leo's eyes flicked over her outfit. "Won't you change clothes first?"
She laughed lightly. "I'll change from the shop. We have plenty."
He nodded, conceding. "Can I drive you there then?"
Barbara paused. "But you're sick."
"I got enough medicine," he said, straightening up. "I don't feel the pain anymore."
She studied him for a moment, then said, "Then let's go."
—-
Surprisingly that morning, Myra got up early and dressed ready for work. In her experience, she chose a two-piece top and skirt, paired with good heels and a fashionable bag that pulled the whole look together.
She went downstairs, and Cissy had already set up breakfast. The atmosphere between them was stable, calm in a way it hadn't been in months. Myra offered a quiet "good morning."
Cissy greeted her back with a smile. At that very moment Raymond walked in and pecked her on the cheek. "Good morning, princess," he said.
"I prepared this for you, please sit and have some," Cissy said to Myra, gesturing to the table.
Myra smiled and sat down. Cissy served her a bowl of warm porridge. She smiled and began eating, the familiar taste settling her nerves more than she expected.
When she headed to the parking lot, Mark was already at his post, straight-backed and alert. She smiled at him. "Do I now have you back in full package?"
Mark nodded once, short and loyal. "Yes, ma'am."
Myra got into the car, and Mark drove off.
Her car pulled into the company parking lot just as Leo and Barbara were getting out of Barbara's car. Myra sat still inside, watching.
Barbara was still in the clothes she'd worn the previous day. Hair a little mussed, but there was a lightness to her step. Myra knew it immediately. Leo had spent the night with Barbara.
She swallowed hard. She loved Leo more than she wanted to admit, but she also knew—some things weren't meant for her.
Leo wished Barbara a good day and watched her walk off. Just as he turned to leave, he caught sight of Myra's car. He recognized it instantly. At that same moment, Mark opened the door for Myra to step out.
Myra stepped out, and her eyes met Leo's.
She wanted to walk past him and pretend he was a stranger. But he stayed still, and so did she. They stood a few feet apart, the whole parking lot holding its breath.
"Good morning," Leo said first. "Didn't expect you to report for work today."
Myra kept her voice even. "I've had a long break. I had to turn up for my business."
Leo nodded. "That's beautiful. I'll go ahead then." He gave a small bow, like he always did when he wanted to leave without making it awkward, and started to walk past her.
But Myra stopped him. "Are you going back to become an officer?"
He looked at her, surprised she remembered.
"Now that your mission is done?" she added quietly.
Leo's jaw tightened, then relaxed. "Yes. I'll be starting next week."
Myra gave a small nod. "Okay. Have a good day."
And with that, she walked past him like there was nothing between them.
She made sure her face didn't betray anything. She looked like she'd completely forgotten their lovemaking, the way his hands had known her, the things they'd said in the dark.
Leo stood there a second longer, watching her go. He wondered if she'd locked those memories away like he had—or if she'd thrown the key out already.