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Leonardo's ultra modern flat with every bell and whistle known to mankind is closeto the arena, which I half expected, "No girlfriend?" I ask."Not presently," he smiles. "I just sort of lost interest after Sheila and the wholeCarrie scenario.""Heartbroken," I interpret."Angered more like it. She deserts me at the pinnacle of my career for hereducation, I'm a good sport setting her free so she can focus on her school, instead ofcoming back to me when she finishes, she gets serious with another dude. We're theones with a child together!"Picture painted, anger is definitely understandable, "I don't blame you. I didadvocate for you."

It obviously didn't help, beer?""Sure," I say parking myself on his grey leather couch. "Love your place.""Thanks. I appreciate you helping me see Holly, it meant everything to me.""She's a cutie," I tell him, "she's so obviously yours.""I know so too," he agrees. "I was a jerk to you when we were younger, if I had it todo all over again.""Don't worry about it, I wouldn't have been with John and you wouldn't have hadHolly. Everything happens for a reason. Come to think of it, I'm glad you were a jerk forboth reasons."

His brows go up, "I haven't looked at it that way, guess your right.""John was good to me.""He always loved you," Leonardo tells me. "I'll never forget the phone call I got inthe middle of the night when he saw you on the cover of the entertainment sectionsinging with Slasher, he was fit to be tied," Leonardo chuckles."You're kidding?" I ask."Nope, I remember it like it was yesterday, 2:30am.. he was ranting, how could hepossibly compete with a rockstar! I think he bought the house in Florida the next day foryou."I start weeping. Leonardo squeezes me. 

He won hands down, I loved him so much," I manage to tell him."I know," his voice cracks almost in tears too. "You're more than welcome to sleepover tonight if you don't feel like going back to Carries.""You don't mind?" I ask timidly."I wouldn't have offered if I did," he reassures."I'd like that," I tell him. "I'm so glad we're still friends.""Me too," he agrees. "I just had a great idea," he peaks my curiosity."Go on," I encourage."I'm considering filing for custody of Holly but I can't take care of her alone.Would you consider moving in with me and helping me to raise her? I'll pay yougenerously of course."

"You want me to take care of Carrie's child?""You said she doesn't even talk about her to you.""True. Are you sure you want me living with you?""I wouldn't ask if I didn't think it would work," he assures me.I consider it, having nothing on the go, it will give me a purpose, and an income.Definitely not glamorous like singing with a rockstar, "Would we get to go to yourgames?" I throw in."Of course, great seats guaranteed," he offers."Deal!" I agree.The rest of the evening is spent rehashing old times before we have a snack andturn in. We don't part the entire night as I fall into the first sound sleep I've had sinceJohn died in Leonardo 's strong arms