A Second Helping by Beverly Jenkins

busy, but it goes with the territory. How’s the wife? You’ll have to forgive me for not knowing her name.”
    â€œNo problem. I’m divorced. Again.”
    â€œSorry to hear that.” Another lie. “Was this number two or three? I haven’t been keeping up.”
    â€œThree. Kiara’s her name.”
    â€œAh.” He’d always been a sharp dresser, but he’d put on some weight since she saw him last and the buttons on his silk coat were straining a bit. Possibly a result of having to eat all those Happy Meals his young wives probably preferred. Stop it, Bernadine .
    â€œYou think we could get some dinner sometime while I’m here?”
    She didn’t hesitate. “No.”
    â€œOh, come on, Bern.”
    â€œNo, Leo. Why would I want to do anything with you?”
    â€œYou always were hard on a brother.”
    â€œOnly when deserved.”
    â€œCan we at least be friends?”
    â€œWhy?” she asked, taken aback at the outrageous proposal.
    He shrugged. “Because we shared a lot of good years before…”
    â€œBefore you lost your mind, you mean?” she countered bitterly.
    He had the decency to look embarrassed.
    â€œYou cheated on me, Leo. Me.” The one who really loved you, she said inwardly, and thought about the old Mary Wells tune with that same title. “We’re divorced. You made that happen, remember?”
    He met her eyes. “I do, and I’d like to make it up to you if I could.”
    She shook her head. “You can’t, and I won’t apologize for how I feel.”
    â€œI understand, but I am sorry.”
    â€œSo am I, Leo.”
    â€œCan I be frank?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œI want you back.”
    â€œExcuse me?”
    â€œI want you back. Cheating on you was the biggest mistake of my life. I realize that now.”
    â€œThis wouldn’t have anything to do with your latest PYT leaving you for a pool boy, would it?”
    He went stock-still.
    â€œI lied, Leo. I do keep up. It’s in my best interest to do so.” She sat back in her chair and folded her arms. “I also learned, belatedly, that you had a bunch of millions stashed offshore that you hid from my lawyers.”
    He took out a handkerchief and mopped at his suddenly damp brow. His hairline had marched back a few inchestoo since the divorce. “Look. I’m not going to lie. I treated you bad, and yes, Kiara left me, but I’ve been wanting you back for a long time.”
    She didn’t believe that for a minute but she let him have the floor.
    â€œI’m lonely, Bernadine. There, I admit it. You’re the only woman who ever loved me for me.”
    â€œAnd you threw it in the trash,” she reminded him softly.
    He looked away for a long moment. “What if I promise it won’t happen again?”
    â€œLeo, you can promise to turn into Little Richard and it still won’t matter. I’m not coming back. So unless you have some legitimate business to discuss, we’re done here.”
    He sighed audibly. “What if I tell you I’m not giving up?”
    â€œOn what?”
    He got to his feet. “On you, me. Us. I didn’t get to be who I am by taking no for an answer.”
    â€œDid you hear me the first time?”
    â€œI did, but we had a good marriage and we can have it again.”
    â€œIf you come near me talking this nonsense again, I will slap you with a restraining order so hard, they’ll feel it on Jupiter.”
    â€œI don’t care. Not giving up. See you.” He headed to the door.
    â€œLeo!” she called angrily. “Leo!”
    But he was gone.
    She cursed.
    Lily came in. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œI’m divorced from a crazy man, that’s what’s wrong.”
    In response to Lily’s confusion Bernadine told her the story, and when she finished all Lily could say was “Wow.”
    Bernadine shook her