, and her voice sounded warm and

a second. Of course,

how those doctors can be with their schedules. I was wondering if I could stop by? It's been far too lo

oom door, where David was still sleeping in her bed. She

h the voice didn't quite sound like he

se photos I mentioned, the ones from Ryan's graduation. You never got to

breathed. "Th

ood there, phone in hand like some lifel

apartment, from her sheets, even from her skin. One ho

ard the bedroom, heart

d against the pillows, and watching her with t

o go," she

only tilted his head and

thes from the floor. She couldn't quite meet his

hat fluid grace of his,

r hard. "Someth

hirt and studied her with foc

ut Victoria felt the undercurre

ght caught his hair, softened the curve of his

was infuriating and devastatin

y almost u

ere bare, and she noticed every single step

the lock, he caugh

cto

look

rching for the right words. Finally, he said, "

to lie. But she coul

forehead, slow and soft, almos

ia leaned against it, legs su

tes to shower, change sheets, erase every t

he man she once married and pretend she hadn't just s

ved, Victoria's apartment

r look like sunshine. It was pulled back in a simple ponytail, no effort to impress

d on the coffee table, and the but

perfect excep

at on the side table,

a warmth that could cr

d cinnamon tea and loving memories. For a moment, Victoria wanted to confess everything:

smiled and le

barrier. Margaret's eyes drifted around the apartment, noticing

heart nea

"It was supposed to be Ryan's anniversary gift. I

beautiful, sweetheart.

silences full of thi

isting. "You know, I was thinking

's breat

her voice. "You kept retying that sash on your gown. I

, Victoria laughed. "I was terrified I'd

who would listen he was the luckiest man al

trembling a bit, his eyes glistening when he saw her walk down the ais

at her eyes. Ma

rds in the present tense felt like a stab. "And I know, where

llowed hard.

ze her hand. Her skin was soft and warm. "I don't know how you

" Neither do I". She managed a smile t

wasn't carrying h

sharp

white h

her man wrapped around he

know how to c

etective novels, how he ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every single day, how

shower, leaving coffee stains, proposing during a thunders

llow. Her heart w

at sterile hospital room, m

tangled in sheets that smelled like ceda

sed to call soon. Victoria locked the door and slid t

nraveling

ece of herself w

longed to Ryan the man who loved her gently and f

was clea

wasn't her

egun to