priorities-2

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Grandpa Will takes Holly for a sleepover giving me the perfect opportunity to talk to Leonardo. I make his favourite dish Shepard's Pie and pour a tall glass of chardonnay. I decorate the table with fresh flowers I picked up from the market. Leonardo comes out of his room after having a shower and sees the table, "Wow! Whats the occasion?" "We need to talk," I take the lead. "You're not leaving me are you?" He appears concerned. "No, no, I want to talk about Carrie." I explain. "I think it's time you go after her before its too late."

He stops the conversation in it's tracks. I place his plate before him before takingmy seat. I slowly sip my glass of wine hoping it'll instil courage, no such luck."Don't you want to be a family," I encourage. "You're still in love with her.""How do you know I don't have feelings for you?""That ship sailed," I wave off.

"Can you say you don't have feelings for me?" he asks."Listen, you're a great guy, but being in a relationship with you would make mefeel like I'm somehow being disloyal to John, and if you keep playing hockey, I'd be nodifferent than a cops wife, hoping you come home safe after every game, and I don'twant to live like that. I know hockey isn't nearly as dangerous as policing but after whathappened to John I'd be post traumatic stressing every time you go to work."He places his fork by his dish, "I get it."

It's not that you're not gorgeous, most definitely you are, but you belong withCarrie, or someone you're in love with.""I'll have to get over you first," he says making my jaw drop, if that isn't the sexiestthing I've heard in a long time."I do have some news for you," I change the subject although it would have beenfun to enjoy the evening in a more sultry way. "There's a competition 'So You ThinkYou Can Sing Canada,' and I've decided to enter! The winner gets a recording contract."I oopsy daisy forget to mention that it's with Slasher's record label."That's great! When is it?""A week after you've stopped Carrie's wedding to Hunter," I tease. 

"So I'm breaking up the wedding.." He looks like he's trying to recollect the date."They're having it at a library in NYC."The third weekend in August, so the tryouts are the fourth weekend of August butthe show airs in the fall lineup. I just downloaded the application, you have to answer somany personal questions it's ridiculous. The lineup is downtown, I'm probably going tohave to sleep in the street for two or three nights.""I'll pay someone to get you a spot," Brandon offers."Can you do that?" I never even thought of something like that."Of course you can, I don't want you sleeping on the streets of Toronto alone, it'snot safe."

"Thanks!" I say appreciatively."How do you suppose I win Carrie back," he asks."Gifting won't work because Hunter is loaded, you have to have more day outingswith Holly and her. I think you have to win her back with your natural charm.""So you're saying I'm charming?" he smiles."Of course! Movie?""I thought you'd never ask," he winks and I melt.We put the dishes away and find a movie we both agree on. He takes one couch, Itake the other. It's a great night between two friends. I couldn't have a better one.Sometimes it feels like our relationship is all I need. If he ever reunites with Carrie thatmight change, but for now it's all good.