The Perfect Letter Read Online Free Page B

her neck to see if she could get a glimpse of the famous colony of bats that lived beneath the bridge. Nothing. It was early for bats—too sunny, too bright.
    It was too early for lunch as well, so the two of them had the restaurant nearly to themselves. They ordered drinks—a beer for Chloe, a margarita on the rocks for Leigh—not caring about the hour. They chatted about Chloe’s band, a few old friends, Leigh’s job. The waitress was putting down the fattest carne asada burrito Leigh had ever seen when Chloe asked, “So how’s Joseph lately?”
    Leigh was midbite, her mouth so filled with steak she couldn’t answer right away. She chewed slowly, buying herself time. “He’s fine. His mother’s been in and out of the hospital, but he’s holding up. Excited about the new summer books. He’s got some big meeting today with Randall about the future of the company. I expect he’ll be getting a promotion.”
    â€œThat’s nice, but you know I wasn’t asking about his career. Or his mother.”
    In the background the waitress was singing along with the music, an old Robert Earl Keen song called “Feelin’ Good Again,” and Leigh watched her, chewing for a moment and swallowing. “He asked me to marry him yesterday.”
    Chloe nearly dropped her fork. “He did what ?”
    â€œAt the launch party last night. In front of everyone, even Randall.”
    â€œWhat did you say?”
    â€œI said I’d have to think about it. I couldn’t answer him right there.”
    Chloe rubbed a hand over her eyes and said, “And are you thinking about it? I mean, for real?”
    â€œSure. I mean, why wouldn’t I?” said Leigh. The grains of salt on the rim of her drink looked like little shards of glass, like they’d cut her if she tried to take a drink. “He’s probably the best thing that ever happened to me. Certainly the most stable.”
    â€œBut you said you weren’t serious about him. That it was just a fling.”
    â€œThat was two years ago! Things change. I mean, would I be crazy to marry him? Of course not. He’s successful. He loves me and treats me well. I could do a lot worse, that’s for sure.”
    â€œ ‘I could do worse’? Did you seriously just say that?”
    â€œDon’t look at me like that. We’ve been together awhile now. We see each other every day. He means a lot to me, Chloe. I owe him my whole career, my whole life in New York.”
    Chloe waved the waitress over for another beer. “I’m going to need more alcohol for this conversation. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Leigh Merrill is settling .”
    â€œChloe, I love him.”
    Chloe fixed her with a level look. “Do you really?”
    â€œI do. He’s a good man. He’s maybe the best man I’ve ever known. That isn’t settling.”
    â€œI know you,” Chloe said. “You’re trying to talk yourself into it. Because if you were that certain, you would have said yes right away and meant it.”
    Leigh sighed. There was no point arguing with Chloe. Something, after all, was holding her back. Just what, though, she wasn’t sure.
    Chloe took a sip of her beer and said, “Is he okay and all, you coming home for a week?”
    â€œWhy wouldn’t he be?”
    â€œI’ve seen the way he looks at you,” Chloe said. She squeezed a lime into her beer and then stuffed it down into the neck of the bottle. “I’ve seen him holding your chair out, offering you his arm.”
    â€œSo he’s a gentleman,” Leigh said. “I like that about him.”
    â€œHe treats you like a kid. Like you’re made of glass or something.”
    â€œHe’s not as uptight as you think.”
    Chloe grinned.
    â€œReally. He thought it was a great idea, me coming to the conference. Drove me to the airport,