Five Years, A Fading Love

on her. Cayla moved like an automaton, cleaning a

were her only treasures: a faded photo of her and Justen, a dri

f his face in the photo,

ered to the silent image. "I don'

t. It was Grafton. His voice was cold

c cake from a bakery acros

dead before sh

broken. Rain lashed

, then closed the box. She picked up an

e bought the cake, she was soaked to the bone,

ouse. Cherrelle, wrapped in a cashm

oice. "You'll get the floor dirty." She turned to Grafton,

Cayla's drenched form, h

ace. "It's too sweet. I don't like it. Go get me

ter dripping from her hair onto the m

ck out into

c coffee that had to be bought from a cafe an hour away. A book that was only available at a specialty stor

finally declared herself satisf

ored. Let's have a party. An

, who had come ov

rooks said. "He's severely allerg

Cherrelle insisted, her eyes welling u

orter, finally snapped. "A test? You want him to r

sobs, turning to Grafton for com

, picked up a glass of

been standing silently in the corner, suddenl

?" Grafton demanded

ice raspy from her fever. "Or worse." She turned

el, triumphant gleam in

a small packet of allergy pills and shoved th

started

harsh liquor burning her throat and stomach

nuckles white. A dull, throbbing pain started in his chest. He watch

ok for him. The business deal she saved by working for 72 hou

eant nothing. That her devotion

soning herself for him, h

e. He had to love Cherrelle. He repeated it to himself like a mantra,