“You’re an angel! See you at seven,” Sabrina said, already moving on, her voice curling with warmth. She hung up before I could change my mind.
I let the phone drop into my lap and watched the gulls spiral over the water, arabesques of hunger and perseverance.
I told myself I was stronger than this, that if I could survive the cage and the wilderness and the endless return to daylight, I could survive one meal with Caiden.
I drove back to my small home and changed into something nice but casual. A violet hued cotton blouse and jeans.
Tonight, would be the first time I’d see Caiden since the wedding, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would he be angry? Would he still be closed off?
The uncertainty gnawed at me, but I forced myself to remember that this was an opportunity to bridge the distance that had grown between us.
When I arrived at Shane and Sabrina’s house, the familiar scent of grilled chicken and roasted vegetables wafted through the air, mingling with the sound of laughter that spilled from theopen patio doors.
My heart raced as I stepped inside, the warmth of the home enveloping me like a comforting blanket.
“Amelia!” Sabrina called, her face lighting up as she spotted me. “You made it!”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I replied, trying to sound upbeat despite the butterflies in my stomach.
“Dinner’s almost ready. Caiden is in the backyard, helping with the grill,” she added, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
I nodded, my heart pounding as I made my way to the back patio.
As I stepped outside, I spotted Caiden standing near the grill, his back toward me. He looked different. More rugged, perhaps, with a tension in his posture that had me worried.
“Hey, Caiden,” I said, my voice tentative as I approached.
He turned, and the moment our eyes met, I felt a jolt of electricity. There was an intensity in his gaze that sent my heart racing, but it was clouded by something darker. Anger, frustration, and unresolved pain.
“Hey,” he replied, his tone curt, as if he were bracing himself for a confrontation.
“Dinner smells great,” I said, trying to keep the mood light.
“Yeah, well, Shane’s the one who’s cooking,” he said, returning his focus to the grill.
I felt a twinge of disappointment at his dismissal, but I pressed on. “I’m glad to see you. I’ve been worried about you.”
He stiffened, turning slightly away from me. “You shouldn’t be. I’m fine.”
“Caiden—” I started, but he cut me off, a flash of anger igniting in his eyes.
“Why do you keep trying to save me? I don’t need saving,” he snapped, his voice rising slightly.
The bite in his words stung, and I took a step back, my stomach churning. “I’m not trying to save you. I just want to be here for you, to help you.”
“Help me?” he echoed, disbelief etched across his features. “You don’t even know what you’re getting into.”
“Then let me in,” I pleaded, my heart racing. “I can’t just standback and watch you push everyone away, not after what we went through.”
“Maybe it’s better this way,” he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper, but the hurt in his eyes betrayed the bravado.
I sighed, then pulled the letter out of my pocket. “I want you to read this.”
He hesitated, his eyes flickering from the letter to my face. “What is it?”
“Just read it. Please. It’s just some things I needed to be honest with you about. So much has changed since Colorado.”
I kept the letter in my hand, extended towards Caiden.
