He walked closer to her, but she continued to walk further away from him.
She began talking rapidly. “I am not one of your projects that you can mold and create. It doesn’t excuse you from the fact you left me with a broken heart. I don’t think I can ever trust you again.”
“Don’t forget, Olivia, you’re not the only one that’s been hurting through all this.”
“I don’t get it, Montgomery. Why now? What’s changed?” Her arms made a smacking sound when she placed them at her sides.
“Nothing changed. That’s the thing. I still love you, Olivia.”
She looked off in the distance, trying to process.
“Do you ever think of me at all?” He asked.
“I think of you much more than I should.” She gave him a weak smile. “But it doesn’t change the fact that I’m going back to Milan in two weeks. Where does that leave us?” She paused and looked up at the night sky.
“I want to see you again,” he asked.
“Then what? Let’s make it the last time? Then never again? And besides your place is here and mine is in Milan. How could this ever work out?”
“No, you’re right. It could never be the same. That’s true. Maybe I should let you go, but I don’t want to,” he said as he came closer, and she turned and looked up at him.
“Montgomery, what if everything that was meant to happen has happened for us? What if that is it for our story?” she asked.
“See, I’m a shameless optimistic. I can’t tell you what will happen tomorrow or the day after that. But if you should ask me if I believe there is still hope for us, yes I do. What I see here is the possibility of you and me, and I don’t want to run the risk of losing you, not the second time around. If you take a leap of faith with me here, then maybe there is still a chance for us. As long as there is still hope and love, we’ll find a way to make it work … trust me, after all, I am Mr. Universe.”
“You’re incorrigible, Montgomery,” she said, her face softening. “It’s all your fault, you know. You made me care too much and … love you too much.”
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to do the right thing, Olivia. I guess I messed up. Maybe I should have done things differently. Please give me a chance to set things right.”
“I don’t see the point. I’m sorry … it’s just too late.”
Nick watched her walk away from him, heading toward the door to go back inside.
“Olivia,” he called out to her, and she halted in her steps. “Let the universe decide. Roshambo me for it.”
She turned to face him but didn’t walk back.
“Roshambo. If I win you give me one day, if you win, then you can walk away and never see my face again.”
She placed her hand on her forehead and shook her head. “You can’t base the future of our relationship on a kid’s game.”
“You don’t get it, do you? We belong to each other and no matter what, our lives will always revolve around each other. And I have a feeling that tonight is our night. You know how I know? Because the universe has been presenting countless opportunities for us to be together. All those times we crossed paths … when they did our direction changed for the better. No, I believe we were meant to be together.” He smiled. “Look, love is more complicated than we think, Olivia. Love is messy. Love is hard work. But when you know we are good together, then you have to make it count, and I desperately want to make it count. I want you to know I never wanted you to go. The truth is if we walk away from each other, we will never find what we have with anyone else.”
He pressed his forehead on hers. “Roshambo,” he whispered.
“Alright … okay,” She took a step back.
“Ro. Sham. Bo,” they said in unison.
She smiled. “Okay, you win, Montgomery. So what now?” she whispered as he gently pulled her into his arms.
“Everything.” He searched her eyes. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
He placed his hand on her face and leaned in closer, kissing her into silence on that very rooftop, on an evening which began, seemed like nothing could be possible. In that very moment they both realized that anything could happen, and everything was all they ever needed.
Maria La Serra lives in Montreal with her husband and two daughters. Before becoming a writer, she worked as a fashion designer. She will try everything at least once, except for skiing or hiking or camping- okay anything relating to activities done in the great outdoors.
When she’s not working on her next book, you could find her spending her time with her family.
The Proverbial Mr. Universe is her first book.
Maria loves to hear from her readers; you can connect with her on www.facebook.com/authormarialaserra, www.instagram.com/maria.laserra, and twitter.com/authormlaserra. For the latest on Maria’s upcoming projects; please visit her website: maria-laserra.com
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The Proverbial Mr. Universe Page 26
