Frayed Silk(63)

“Don’t talk to him. Don’t see him. I thought it was pretty fucking obvious that I wouldn’t want you to.”

“I know, and I won’t anymore. You can trust me. You will trust me again.”

His Adam’s apple bobs near my nose as he swallows. “I do trust you.”

I snort. “You don’t have to lie to me, Leo.”

“Lia, despite all that’s happened, I still do. But not him. I don’t think you understand how much seeing that … how much it fucked with me.”

“I love you Leo, only ever, always you,” I remind him.

His hands wrap around my back, smoothing down my hair. “I love you, too.”

We fall asleep like that. And even though I know that he’s still not happy with me, I feel like maybe we’ll still be okay.





“Greta, you’ll eat the yogurt or toast. Pick one,” I say when she argues again that she wants Fruit Loops.

“But Grandma Tay lets us eat Fruit Loops when we stay at her place.” She crosses her arms.

Leo walks into the kitchen, sneaking up behind her to squish her nose and say, “Well, Grandma Tay doesn’t pay for your dental bills. I do.”

Greta sucks in a breath. “They’re not bad for your teeth! Fruit Loops have fruit in them, duh.”

“Ugh, just eat the food already,” Charlie groans.

Leo kisses them both, and I tuck their lunch boxes into their bags then turn to say goodbye to him. But all I get is a peck on the head. “Hey …” I say when he walks toward the entry to the garage.

“Got a meeting at nine. I’ve gotta go. Bye, guys.” He waves over his head.

Frowning, I turn around, finding both kids grinning at me.

“What?” I huff.

“Don’t be sad Daddy didn’t kiss you, Mommy. When I grow up and get married, my husband will not be allowed to kiss me. No way.” She pokes her chin out. “Oh, but he can rub my feet. That’s totally okay with me.”

Charlie and I laugh at her. “What? I’m being serious.”

I start the dishwasher then grab their bags. “We know. Come on and grab your toast. We’d better go, too.”

We all pile into the car and head over to the school. They run inside just before the skies open and it starts to rain. I wave to Lola on my way out and make the short drive back home. Pulling into the driveway, I stare at the big white and gray painted house that holds so many memories, good and bad, including the argument of last night. While I’m glad I persisted, I can’t help but worry if he’s still upset with me or if he’s trying to push me away again.

Sighing, I put the car into reverse. Well, I guess there’s only one way to find out.





Driving over the bridge, I observe the way the skyscrapers act like beacons as they light up the gray fog and rain that’s shrouding the city of Rayleigh. One of the first towers you see as you come off the overpass into the city is Vandellen Logistics. Handy for trying to get out of traffic every day.

Visiting Leo at work has never been something I enjoyed doing, nor is it something I do very often. The people, while nice enough, are a little stuffy and conversation always seems forced. As if they feel like they need to humor me because I’m Leo’s wife. Glancing at the time, I see that it’s almost nine thirty and keep driving into the city. Leo will still be in his meeting a while longer, so I park the car outside a French looking bakery and jump out quickly to get underneath the awning before I get soaked. A little bell sounds as I walk inside, smoothing my damp hair back from my face and tucking some behind my ear.

“Hello, what can I get for you?” a woman who looks to be in her fifties asks.

I give her a smile then browse the display of pastries in front of me. “I’ll grab two chocolate croissants, a latte, one sugar, and a black coffee. To go please.”

She busies herself with making the coffee then grabs the croissants and puts them in a paper bag before handing them over. I give her a twenty, telling her to keep the change. She beams at me, and I grab our drinks and food before running back out to the car. Once inside, I check my phone and decide to just head over there. The morning traffic makes the drive take fifteen minutes anyway. Walking would probably take five. I decide against using the employee parking lot and opt to park on the street when I see a free space instead. Getting out, I quickly shut the door before realizing I forgot our food and drinks. Shit. Opening it back up, I grab them then lock the car, running out of the rain and into the foyer of Vandellen Logistics. I’m a little cold and probably look like I took a dive into the ocean, but I hold my head up high and walk over to the reception desk.

“Dahlia.” Sarah looks up from her computer, her red lips pursed as she scrutinizes me over the rims of her black framed glasses. She lifts a hand and delicately pushes them up the bridge of her nose, sniffing then asking, “What can we do for you?”

I hold the snort in, just. She knows I’m here to see my husband. But I smile thinly and tell her anyway. “Just here to see Leo.” I hold up the tray with our two mugs and paper bag for emphasis. “Is he done with his meeting?”

She makes a show of checking her computer for a good minute before a frazzled looking young woman rounds the corner. “Oh, you’re Leo’s wife?” Her eyes bug out as she takes me in. “You’re so much prettier in person. Oh, um, instead of the pictures he has in his office,” she hurries to say.