The Last Time I Saw You by Elizabeth Berg Read Free Book Online

ones!”
    “How in the hell did he do that?”
    “Well, he’s got his father’s charm and he’s also connected to a lot of people that Sunny’s family knows. And you know how it is; even in a bad economy, the rich still spend money.”
    Pete wipes up the last of his scrambled eggs with the last bite of toast. Perfect breakfast. “How are you fixed for funds?”
    “I’m fine.”
    “Why don’t I leave you a couple hundred?”
    “I’m fine , Pete.” She leans in closer to him. “Pete? Listen, I… What we just did? I feel bad about it. And I think you need to tell Sandy that it happened.”
    “Ah, jeez.”
    “If you admit it—and I think it’s only fair that you do—you’ll get to some problems in your relationship that you obviously need to face up to. And I’m going to tell Fred, too.”
    “You’re… Fred who?”
    “Fred Preston.”
    Pete can hardly contain his outrage. “You’re involved with Fred Preston ?” The wimpy guy down the block. Widower. Always wearing a hat so he won’t get skin cancer . Runs every day in a jogging outfit .
    “Yes, I am. I’ve been wanting to tell you.”
    “Fred Preston ?You are fucking shitting me!”
    “Do you mind watching your language?”
    “You’re kidding me.”
    “He’s actually a very interesting man.”
    Pete snorts. “Yeah, well, he’d better be. Not much else to recommend him.”
    Nora stands and starts clearing the dishes. “Not true. I think he’s quite good-looking.”
    “Oh, please .”
    She turns from the sink to look over at him. “Well, you may not think so.”
    “Oh, come on, Nora. You’re attracted to him?”
    She raises an eyebrow, lifts one shoulder.
    “And you’re going to tell him we had sex.”
    “Yes, I am. I am interested in having a completely honest relationship, for a change. I’m going to say I had a little slip, but it won’t happen again.”
    Pete lowers his voice to what he hopes is a sexy register. “Are you sure?” He wishes Nora would look at him. He has gorgeous turquoise eyes, god damn it.
    She comes back to the table and sits down with him. “Pete. Listen to me. We’re done. I want to finalize the divorce.”
    Her words actually take his breath away. They make for a deep pain right in the center of his chest.
    He speaks rapidly. “But I’m getting out, Nora. I’m leaving her. I was just going to tell you that. You think I haven’t been regretting what I’ve done since the day I left? What we did here today… I understand something now.
    “I want to come back. I’ll tell Sandy this afternoon and then, right afterward, I’ll pack my bags and come home. Let me come home, Nora. Everything will be so different, you’ll see. I didn’t mean all those things I said the day I left. How could I have meant those things? I was just frustrated about… I don’t know. About everything, I guess. But I didn’t mean those things, Nora! Please! Do you believe me?”
    “Yes. I believe you.”
    He closes his eyes, exhales. “Oh, God, thank you, honey. Thank you.” He can’t wait. He’ll pack just a few… No. Fuck it. He’ll leave everything in that crap condo Sandy couldn’t live without. He never wants to go back there again. Let her have everything. All he wants is to have his family back, that’s all he wants. Once again, he feels the burn of tears. “I want you to know, babe, that I—”
    “Pete,” she says. “Don’t . I know you really meant what you just said. But I mean what I said, too. I’ll be your friend, we’ll co-parent the kids, but…” She shrugs. “It’s over. Such a silly word for such a serious thing, it seems like such a cliché to say it, so Roy Orbison. But it’s true. We’ve come to the end, there’s no going forward for you and me. And I’m not even… I’m not hurt anymore. I’m not bitter or angry. The kids are, but they’re working that out. And I’m trying to help them with it. This has been coming for a long time, Pete. I knew it was coming; you must