life. And as for when I’m gone, I hope that by then I’ll have a family and children to whom I can pass on the legacy of so many years’ work.”
“Family? Children? Do you intend to marry the ineffable Alison?” Catalina inquired.
“My love life is none of your business.” His gray eyes shot an icy look her way, but Cat remained unperturbed.
“So tell me, dear neighbor. When will you find the time to get married, let alone have children? Is the captivating Alison prepared to bring into the world such serious obstacles to her career?”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about!” He was so angry that he was unable to stop himself raising his voice.
“Oh, really?” She raised an eyebrow mockingly.
Making a Herculean effort not to completely lose his head, Leo took a deep breath and gently removed her hand from his arm. In a calmer tone, he answered, “I don’t wish to talk about this with you anymore. I’m going in for a shower. Good night.” Stiff as a board, he turned around and headed toward the door, but he could not keep the voice of his insufferable neighbor from following him.
“Leo, Leo! I’m sorry! I promise I’ll mind my own business from now on!” Despite her apology, he thought he detected a touch of glee in her voice and, furious, he clenched his fists. “If you’re back in time on Friday, come have dinner and a game of chess!” Catalina shouted before he closed the door behind him, without a backward glance.
That woman’s crackers if she thinks I’ll spend Friday night in her apartment just so she can keep insulting me , Leopold thought to himself, lips pursed.
During her walk, Catalina continued to think about Leopold Sinclair. She had tried every trick she knew to get him to fly off the handle, and though she’d come close, she hadn’t managed it. Her uptight neighbor was a tough one to crack, his well-mannered shell almost impenetrable, but Cat promised herself she’d find a way in, even it meant she had to play dirty.
Cat raised her fist to the dark sky like a modern Scarlett O’Hara and swore, “Milo, as you are my witness, that proud Leopold Sinclair will have no choice but to begin enjoying life a bit more, whether he likes it or not.”
The dog looked at her adoringly and wagged his tail in excitement.
That Friday, Leopold arrived home at around eight in the evening. He’d just returned from New York, and despite his exhaustion, he knew he’d be unable to sleep. As he opened his front door, he saw that someone had slid a note under it, marked with unfamiliar and rather chaotic handwriting. Like its owner , he thought, looking at the signature.
Dear Leo, I hope you haven’t forgotten our game . . .
Nothing else. He was about to tear up the note and throw it in the trash when his cell vibrated and he saw that his friend Harry had left him a message. Leopold , it said, if you’re back in time, I have a table booked at Mason’s for 8:30 p.m. tonight. It’ll be us, the Georges, and a woman who wants to meet you.
Damn , he thought. Shouldn’t have told Harry that I’d broken up with Alison .
The last thing he felt like doing just then was going on a blind date. Another option was to stay home and channel-surf until he felt sleepy, but that wasn’t too appealing, either. Perhaps the best thing to do, after all, would be to pay his neighbor a visit. He could have some supper, play a game of chess, dispatch his opponent in about five minutes, and have an early night. Yes, that’s exactly what he’d do.
She hadn’t written a specific day or time on the note, so he took a leisurely shower, then pulled on some worn-out jeans, a white shirt, and a pair of suede moccasins. He looked through his wine collection and chose a white, then, with bottle in hand, he rang her doorbell and waited. Annoyed, he kept pressing the doorbell for a good while until finally the door opened. “Hi, Leo. Sorry, I couldn’t hear you with the music on,” Catalina
“Family? Children? Do you intend to marry the ineffable Alison?” Catalina inquired.
“My love life is none of your business.” His gray eyes shot an icy look her way, but Cat remained unperturbed.
“So tell me, dear neighbor. When will you find the time to get married, let alone have children? Is the captivating Alison prepared to bring into the world such serious obstacles to her career?”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about!” He was so angry that he was unable to stop himself raising his voice.
“Oh, really?” She raised an eyebrow mockingly.
Making a Herculean effort not to completely lose his head, Leo took a deep breath and gently removed her hand from his arm. In a calmer tone, he answered, “I don’t wish to talk about this with you anymore. I’m going in for a shower. Good night.” Stiff as a board, he turned around and headed toward the door, but he could not keep the voice of his insufferable neighbor from following him.
“Leo, Leo! I’m sorry! I promise I’ll mind my own business from now on!” Despite her apology, he thought he detected a touch of glee in her voice and, furious, he clenched his fists. “If you’re back in time on Friday, come have dinner and a game of chess!” Catalina shouted before he closed the door behind him, without a backward glance.
That woman’s crackers if she thinks I’ll spend Friday night in her apartment just so she can keep insulting me , Leopold thought to himself, lips pursed.
During her walk, Catalina continued to think about Leopold Sinclair. She had tried every trick she knew to get him to fly off the handle, and though she’d come close, she hadn’t managed it. Her uptight neighbor was a tough one to crack, his well-mannered shell almost impenetrable, but Cat promised herself she’d find a way in, even it meant she had to play dirty.
Cat raised her fist to the dark sky like a modern Scarlett O’Hara and swore, “Milo, as you are my witness, that proud Leopold Sinclair will have no choice but to begin enjoying life a bit more, whether he likes it or not.”
The dog looked at her adoringly and wagged his tail in excitement.
That Friday, Leopold arrived home at around eight in the evening. He’d just returned from New York, and despite his exhaustion, he knew he’d be unable to sleep. As he opened his front door, he saw that someone had slid a note under it, marked with unfamiliar and rather chaotic handwriting. Like its owner , he thought, looking at the signature.
Dear Leo, I hope you haven’t forgotten our game . . .
Nothing else. He was about to tear up the note and throw it in the trash when his cell vibrated and he saw that his friend Harry had left him a message. Leopold , it said, if you’re back in time, I have a table booked at Mason’s for 8:30 p.m. tonight. It’ll be us, the Georges, and a woman who wants to meet you.
Damn , he thought. Shouldn’t have told Harry that I’d broken up with Alison .
The last thing he felt like doing just then was going on a blind date. Another option was to stay home and channel-surf until he felt sleepy, but that wasn’t too appealing, either. Perhaps the best thing to do, after all, would be to pay his neighbor a visit. He could have some supper, play a game of chess, dispatch his opponent in about five minutes, and have an early night. Yes, that’s exactly what he’d do.
She hadn’t written a specific day or time on the note, so he took a leisurely shower, then pulled on some worn-out jeans, a white shirt, and a pair of suede moccasins. He looked through his wine collection and chose a white, then, with bottle in hand, he rang her doorbell and waited. Annoyed, he kept pressing the doorbell for a good while until finally the door opened. “Hi, Leo. Sorry, I couldn’t hear you with the music on,” Catalina
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