Page 75 of Ripple Effect
And I realize if I let her go, I’ll be letting everything go. I tighten my embrace. “Libs?”
Her body naturally conforms to mine. “Yes?”
“You know how much I love you, right?”
I hear a tiny sigh escape her lips before she nods. “Of course.” Even though it’s a Saturday, Libby’s in heels. I frown. Come to think of it, she’s fully dressed for work.
“I didn’t know you were heading in today?” Why does my voice sound so accusatory? After all, I’m the one who’s about to leave for an indeterminate amount of time.
Libby just shrugs. “I got a call late yesterday to meet with a client for about an hour. Since it’s a new line of business, I agreed to meet with them.”
“What kind of…” My question is interrupted by the tooting of Sam’s horn outside. I give her a crooked smile. “We’ll finish this up when I call later.”
Her lips hitch. “Right. I’m sure we will.” Just when I’m about to ask her what that means, Sam honks for a second time. I turn my head to begin cursing at the window when Libby’s fingers slide over my jaw, bringing it forward again. She rises on the balls of her feet. Brushing her lips against mine once, twice, I don’t have to be invited a third time to deepen the kiss.
Unfortunately, as Sam lays on the horn, I have to tear my mouth away just as it was getting interesting. “I’m going to kill him,” I announce.
Libby’s smile thaws, which is what I need right now. “Just travel safely, okay?”
Giving her a final kiss, I make my way out of her office and throw open the front door. Holding up a finger to ask Sam for one more minute, I wrap my arm around Libby, who trailed me there. “Consider this an early gift for the birthday girl,” I say, before I crush my mouth down on hers.
Long moments later, I lift my head. “You light up my world, Libby.”
Her countenance softens. “Cal…”
“I’ll be back to celebrate with you in just a few short days. I love you.”
“I love you too.” And my last image of my wife smiling for quite a while is her leaning against the door as I jump in the car so Sam can get the three of us to the airfield to make our transport to Finland to be briefed before we head to find our target in the Ural Mountains.
* * *
Five days later,I’m calling home to wish my wife a happy birthday on a secure SAT phone because I didn’t make it back. My mind isn’t surprised when she doesn’t answer.
My heart is devastated.
I disconnect, hold the phone to my chest, and whisper, “What’s happening to us?” before stepping back inside the tent I’m sharing with Sam and Iris so we can get close enough to the camp where the twin children of the United States ambassador of Sweden are being held for ransom.
I haven’t completed the mission, have my boss up my ass, and I broke another promise to Libby.
What’s happening to my life?
50
Elizabeth
Year Five - Six Years Ago from Present Day
His dark hair is hanging over his ears since he didn’t have a chance to get a trim before we left for dinner.
At thirty-six, Cal’s more devastating to look at than when I first met him. I could sit for hours and study the candlelight highlights the lean planes of his features. Absentmindedly, I reach for my wineglass on my right. Swirling it around, I listen to Cal finish ordering the extravagant dinner he thinks I need.
What I need is to scream in agony over the overwhelming politeness that’s beginning to exist in my marriage.When did I lose my lover and gain a roommate?I think hatefully. With a flick of my wrist, the red wine I ordered is sent swirling.
“I don’t remember you drinking red,” Cal remarks.
There’s a lot you’d notice if you were home to see it.Instead of lashing out when Cal’s trying, I simply answer, “On one of my trips to Atlanta, a client suggested this.”
“Business seems to be going well.” He lifts his own glass and takes a drink.
