"Why not?" challenged Casey, who was obviously not going to back down quite so easily. "I thought you loved my Dad."
"I do, of course. But there are other things to consider, to - "
"No." Casey gave a stubborn shake of his head. "That should be the only thing to consider. You and Dad love each other. You make him happier than anyone in the whole world. He was miserable without you, hardly ate, didn't sleep, didn't take care of himself. You have to go back to him, Sasha. Please."
"Casey," she protested. "Don't put all of this on me. Please. Of course I love your father, and want the best for him. But I've got myself to consider, too, and what's best for me."
"Dad is the best person in the whole world!" declared Casey. "He'll do anything for you, Sasha. And he needs you so much. Look, my mom wasn't - well, very nice to him. She never did stuff for him or looked after him or took care of him the way you did. He was always trying to make her happy, giving her stuff, and letting her have her way. She made him really, really unhappy, so he deserves someone now who's going to make him happy. Please don't put him through this. My dad deserves to be happy more than anyone I've ever met. And being with you makes him happier than anything."
Sasha sighed, holding up her hands in silent surrender. "You've made your point, Casey. And believe me, no one wants your father's happiness more than I do. Matthew is the most wonderful, amazing man I've ever known, and the months we were together were the happiest I've ever been. It's just - I just need a little more time to be sure."
"You don't have to make a decision yet," coaxed Casey. "Just come over tonight and have dinner with us. Seven o'clock. I'll tell the concierge that you're coming over so he can send you right up. Look, you don't have to give me an answer now, okay? Think about it this afternoon. But seeing you would make my dad smile again. And he hasn't been doing much of that lately."
She scowled at him. "You really have the art of the guilt trip down, don't you? I'll think about it, Casey. That's all I can promise."
He grinned as though it was his birthday, Christmas, and a trip to Disneyland combined. "You'll be there. I can tell. You can't stand the thought of hurting someone's feelings or knowing that they're sad. And my dad is so, so sad without you, so - "
Sasha placed a hand over his mouth. "Okay. Quit while you're ahead, kid. Now, no more trying to con me into coming over. Let's finish our lunch, and I'll consider your invitation this afternoon."
Casey obeyed, but he seemed entirely too pleased with himself for Sasha's liking. He abided by her wishes, though, and didn't bring the subject of Matthew up again, even when they went their separate ways after lunch.
Once again, Matthew was all she could think about that afternoon during two massage appointments, and then while she was running errands. She put away the groceries and other things she'd bought, then started a load of laundry. The big, multi-storied house was empty, since her other roommates were at work, and for once Sasha wished that Julio was around to give her some unwanted advice. She wondered if Tessa's flight to Italy had taken off yet, if there was still time to give her a quick call. She mused the wisdom of calling Linda for the second time in five days, since she already knew her aunt would urge her to go to Matthew. She was almost desperate enough for advice to call her mother, even though she would regret that move as soon as she made it.
But Sasha knew that this was a decision only she could make. No amount of advice or opinions from her family or friends - not even Casey's appealing pleas - could make it for her. She was going to have to do some intense soul searching, and do it fast, since seven o'clock was quickly approaching.
Matthew eyed his son with mingled curiosity and concern. "You okay there, buddy? You're acting kind of weird tonight, almost like you're worried about something."
Casey laughed nervously. "Um, no. Everything's okay, Dad. I'm just anxious for the food to get here is all. As usual, I'm starving."
Matthew shrugged, even though he was far from convinced that all was well. "Whatever you say. The food should be here any minute. And if you're that hungry there should be plenty of snacks in the kitchen."
Casey shook his head, and resumed pacing around the living room, as he'd been doing on and off for the last twenty minutes or so. "I'm good. I don't want to spoil my appetite for the pizza. You know that Amici's is my favorite."