Page 32 of Fragile Touch (Fragile 1)
Andrew’s coming here? “I am.”
“I think that’s the place they’re sending him within the next couple of weeks. We’re not sure when. I’ll call him later tonight and have him get in touch with you.”
The idea of Andrew coming sent a rush of elation through her body; she suddenly felt like she could run a mile in a minute. “Please have him call me.” It’d be nice to see a familiar face.
“Absolutely. I can’t believe he hasn’t thought of it yet. I’ll make sure to scold him.”
Oh, Frances, you’re such a crack-up. “You do that. Have fun at the dentist, Mom.”
“Don’t worry about that. Dr. Roberts looks like a rugged Fabio. I’d stay in his chair all day if I could.” Frances erupted into her dainty laugh; it sounded like the tinkle of teacups. “Don’t tell Tanner.”
“Your secret is safe with me. Talk to you soon.”
“Bye, dear.” The phone clicked, and Lillian set hers down on the table. She couldn’t find the right words for her feelings; talking to Frances still didn’t seem quite right if Amelia wasn’t there, even after several years. But Andrew, out of all places, coming to her area? Seeing him again felt like old times coming back to life—almost. Andrew knew her differently, more like a sister; they had seen each other grow up, and went through the grief of losing Amelia together. No friend she could make now would be the same as having lived through all that with someone else.
She could talk to Andrew.
Lillian jumped up, filled with energy. The house felt too small for her swelling heart, so she went outside and dragged the folding table out from its resting place, leaning against the house. On the edge of her yard were waves of flowers, sprouting up new each day as spring came into full bloom. She picked bundles and brought them to the table with her supplies.
“Hey!” The voice echoed across her yard. She put her scissors down and saw Cayden walking toward her.
“Hey, stranger.” She snipped off some of the flowers’ stems, trying to look productive.
Cayden came over and sat on the steps of her porch. He took a swig of something from a red Solo cup. “Doing your flower-drying thing?”
She nodded. “I should have done more before now. The shop that sells them needs more.”
He looked impressed. “You really are quite the entrepreneur.”
“Worked my butt off.”
“I get that.” He stared out into the mass of trees behind their yards. “It took a long time for me to build a reputation as a trainer.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. I actually started a gym back in my hometown.”
Lillian threw a few stem trimmings off the table. “Started? Did it fail?”
“No, the opposite.” He brought his stare back to her and smiled mischievously. “It was bought out. I’d been working eighty-hour workweeks for so long that I decided to move and take a little break.”
Her jaw dropped. “Eighty hours? How did you sleep?”
“Not much.” He chuckled and took another drink. “Got an email from Jack, the guy who set up Peter’s Gym here. Said there was a waiting list of high-profile clients who wanted only the best.”
“And you’re the best?”
Cayden winked. “You got it. Sold my gym and came here. Nice to take a breather.”
“I’ll bet.” She tossed some wimpy-looking flowers onto the ground and looked at his cup. “What’s that?”
“Pre-gaming. Inviting some friends over tonight.”
“Party on a Thursday night?”
“Think of it more as an intimate gathering than a party.” His face wasn’t flushed, but it had color to it. She wondered how many he’d drunk. “I don’t mean intimate like that.”
“I figured, although I wouldn’t put it past you.”
