Page 53 of Loud Unspoken Memories

My heart is pounding against my chest wall at the intensity of his gaze. And the sexy smile ruffling his lips clues me in to the fact that he may be patting himself on the back right now.

“We didn’t get together for years,” I tell him. “In fact, we called people absurd when they said we were perfect for each other. To us, we felt like brother and sister. It wasn’t until one drunken night sophomore year when we kissed on a dare. I guess we both liked it enough to take it as a sign. From then on, it was us against the world. We became inseparable. We got married the day after graduation. Even went to college together. But I dropped out when I got pregnant.”

“But you still went on to be a graphic designer.”

“Yeah. You don’t technically need a degree for that, just a lot of experience and great references.”

“So you built your own business.”

“I did.”

“Is it lucrative?”

I chuckle. “You saw my car, you tell me.”

“But it pays the bills?”

“It pays them well enough.”

He tilts his head, even as my fingers rummage through his hair, and studies me. Maybe a guy from his background has no idea how people can survive making the kind of money I do.

“Did Charles pay child support?”

“Every month. Never late. Even though we split custody, since he made considerably more than I did, he paid for most of Charlie’s needs. Even more than our divorce arbiter suggested.”

“Why do you think it ended between you two?”

I’m trying hard not to show my amusement at his interest in my private life. He really has changed over the past day.

I shrug. “We didn’t adult well together.”

“Care to elaborate?”

“As we grew older, we just didn’t work as a couple. He was super intelligent, much smarter than me. He took college courses when he was a sophomore in high school. When he went to FSU, he had so many credits, he graduated in two years. By the time I was pregnant with Charlie, he’d gotten a job at a bank and was already moving up the corporate ladder. We drifted apart and separated even before Charlie was born. The fact that neither of us was that upset about it means it was the right thing to do. We’re much better as friends.”

My chest seizes up and my heart stills. “Or, we were.” I lean back against the pillow. “Sometimes I forget he’s dead.” My ill-chosen words echo in my head. “Oh, gosh, I didn’t mean—”

“Stop it.” He puts a finger to my lips. “I said you didn’t have to bite your tongue around me.”

“I just… never know what to say.”

“Say whatever you want. And, Marti—don’t ever refer to yourself as not smart.” He picks up the book. “How about you just read?”

I take it from him, find my place, and continue, never letting my left hand stray from his hair.

~ ~ ~

Dallas wakes me.

I look around to see it’s still light out. “How long was I asleep?”

“A few hours.” His head shakes as if he’s trying to comprehend something. “I was out too. It’s crazy.”

“What is?”

“The past few nights. Today. I’ve never slept so well.”

Satisfaction dances within me, and I find it hard not to smile.

---