Chapter 10 Walking with You
"The problems may be different, but the result is the same: still single."
Caroline said, "Everyone needs something to aspire to. Of course, I want to marry someone I actually like."
"Still being stubborn," Elysia shot her a look, clearly irritated. "Fine, keep holding out for your perfect man. By the time you're done, all the good ones will be taken, and you'll be left picking through what others rejected. How ambitious of you."
Caroline faltered. "Mom, can't you wish something positive for me? How do you know I won't find someone tall, handsome, and thoughtful?"
"Didn't we just send away someone tall, handsome, and oh-so-thoughtful? He played the part so well, but what happened? What good is a handsome man when he's full of schemes? You need someone responsible with good character—someone like your father."
Caroline made a face. "Dad? You might enjoy that serious type, but I don't want to face a stone expression every day."
"Don't talk about your father that way." Elysia gave her a pointed look. "Go call him and ask if he's coming home for dinner."
Caroline walked out of the kitchen. "Fine, I will."
In truth, Elysia was anxious for Caroline to find a partner soon. The older you get, the fewer options remain—that was an undeniable fact.
Caroline's father, Elijah Tudor, was too busy with work to come home for dinner. Caroline stayed with Elysia through the meal and hung around a while before heading home.
When she drove to the riverside, looking out at the vast expanse of water, she finally felt like she could breathe again.
She hadn't fallen in love with Atticus, but his parting words had gotten under her skin.
He was the one who betrayed her, yet somehow not forgiving him made her the villain. Atticus was truly a refined narcissist.
That was why you couldn't ignore those uncomfortable details about someone when dating. Never compromised yourself to accommodate those red flags. Even if you made it to marriage, you would end up divorced and bitter.
A night jogger approached from the opposite direction. Caroline continued her leisurely walk, barely noticing when they passed each other and the stranger glanced her way.
Leopold recognized Caroline immediately, though with his cold-weather mask and hat in the darkness, he wasn't easily identifiable.
Caroline pulled her collar closer, focusing on a cargo ship crossing the river, never breaking her stride.
After running a short distance, his pace slowed gradually until Leopold suddenly turned around to follow Caroline.
The person he'd been avoiding all week—now their paths were about to tangle again.
Hearing footsteps approaching from behind, Caroline instinctively moved aside to clear the jogging path.
"Caroline," Leopold called out suddenly.
Caroline jumped slightly, turning to see Leopold pulling down his mask and smiling. "What a coincidence."
Caroline looked surprised—someone like Leopold should be too busy for this. "You actually go jogging at night?"
Leopold matched her slower pace. "When I'm not working late or entertaining clients, I always make time for exercise."
Walking side by side, Leopold asked, "What brings you out in this cold?"
Caroline couldn't think of a real reason quickly enough, so she lied, "I ate too much at my mom's. Just walking it off."
Her expression didn't match someone who had overeaten, but Leopold didn't call her bluff.
"Perfect timing—I just finished my run. I'll walk with you while you digest."
Caroline hesitated.
Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, Leopold smiled apologetically. "Actually, I was hoping to bum a ride back with you."
"Oh, I see." Caroline didn't want him to notice her mood. "I've walked enough anyway. Let's head back."
Leopold gently touched her arm, his almond-shaped eyes crinkling with a healing smile.
"It's okay. Let's walk a little longer."
Caroline had to admit the tightness in her chest might ease with more walking.
They strolled along the riverbank by unspoken agreement. Leopold gazed at the distant cargo ship and asked, "Where do you think that ship is headed?"
Caroline replied, "No idea."
"Aren't you a local?"
Caroline gave him an exasperated look. "Leopold, yes, I'm local, but that's not my ship. How would I know?"
Though she was controlling her emotions, Leopold could sense the restrained anger radiating from her, like she was about to burst.
Trying to help her vent, Leopold teased, "What's up? Another heartbreak?"
The question was like a match to gasoline, igniting the fuse of Caroline's bottled emotions.
She frowned. "You must have been smacked a lot as a kid."
Leopold laughed. "That obvious?"
Caroline rolled her eyes. "You're ridiculous."
"Wait," Leopold called after her.
He jogged across to a vendor and returned with a cotton candy, holding it out to her. "Here."
Caroline lowered her eyes. "That's too sweet."
Leopold smiled. "Consider it payment for my ride."
Caroline took it, grumbling, "You're such a cheapskate."
As the fluffy sweetness melted on her tongue, her gloomy mood seemed to dissolve with it.
"What did your mom make that was so good?" Leopold asked.
Caroline said, "Salmon, sandwiches, pasta, and soup."
Leopold's eyes dropped as he smiled. "Sounds delicious. No wonder you ate too much. I'm jealous."
Seeing his wistful expression, she said, "Don't talk like your mom mistreats you. What's there to be jealous of?"
Leopold's lips curved into a self-deprecating smile.
"What? Your mom's not a good cook?" Caroline asked.
Leopold didn't dodge the question. "It's not that. I've never seen her cook since I can remember. She's busy."
Realizing she'd hit a sensitive topic, Caroline apologized.
"I'm sorry."
Leopold shrugged it off with a smile. "No need to apologize. It's not your fault."
His casual response made breathing easier for Caroline.
"Actually, I was pretty upset earlier."
Leopold turned to face her slowly, patiently waiting for her to continue.
"My ex-boyfriend went to see my mom, hoping she'd convince me to take him back."
At this, Leopold's expression grew complex. He mentally mocked Atticus's approach but kept his thoughts to himself.
"What did your mom say?"
"At first, I hadn't told her the whole story—trying to save his dignity. But when he showed up pressuring me, I had no choice but to show her the video of him cheating. She threw him out. On his way out, he had the nerve to blame me. He's supposed to be a lawyer—how can someone be so awful?"
Leopold countered, "So you're out by the river at night because of him?"
Caroline sighed. "Not just him. My mom too. I barely broke up, and she's already pushing me to go on blind dates. You'd think I was some desperate spinster."
Leopold looked her up and down—she was an attractive woman. What was the rush?
"Why is Mrs. Tudor so eager to marry you off?"
Caroline explained, "She believes finding an exceptional partner means acting early, or you'll only get what others have rejected."
Leopold thought about himself—that seemed like an unfair generalization.
Skeptically, he said, "That can't always be true."
Caroline let out a deep breath. "Whatever, let's drop it."
Leopold fell silent.