Page 2 of Fragile Kiss (Fragile 2)
“If you really want to know, the answer is not entirely.”
An awful feeling dripped over her; it was dark and guilty and full of embarrassment. All the things she had imagined herself saying to him if this exact situation happened evaporated into thin air, and she couldn’t remember anything.
She slowly sat across from him in her reading chair. The cats had already jumped on him and were resting their heads on his thighs as they drifted into yet another afternoon nap.
“I haven’t seen you in weeks, Cayden.”
“I’ve been in Los Angeles working, Lil. You know that.”
“Is it okay?”
“Yes, it was actually going really great, until a couple of nights ago when I got a totally unexpected text from my girlfriend saying she wanted to break up.” He groaned. “Ex-girlfriend. Whatever. I don’t even know right now.”
“You flew home because of that?”
“I think you deserve that much from me, yes.”
Her cheeks got fire-hot and suddenly the floor seemed a much more interesting thing to look at than the gorgeous man sitting three feet away from her. She deserved that much? Wasn’t she the one who’d broken up in a text?
“So?”
“So, what?” she replied weakly.
“Can you explain your rationale? Feelings? Something? Because I do not want to be talking about this with you. I don’t get it.” He ran a hand through his hair.
“If you didn’t want to talk about it, why’d you fly home?” She was stalling. She knew it. How could she have thought he didn’t care? That his lack of reply wasn’t because he wasn’t interested but because he was shocked?
“I don’t want to talk about it because I never wanted this to happen.” Cayden’s words filled the thick air in the room; they seemed to reverberate off the walls and ceiling and she couldn’t unhear them.
“I’m not like your crowd, Cayden.”
“Explain what my crowd is.”
“You already know. The kind of people who came over every weekend to party at your house.” She threw her arm to the side in the direction of his house. “The hot people. The beautiful, healthy, fun-loving people.”
“If you don’t think you’re those things—”
“I’m not.”
“Then what do you think you are?”
“A killjoy compared to your lifestyle.”
“I can’t believe you think that, Lil.”
“Oh, come on.” He was beginning to irritate her now. Not him, but the reality of their situation. “You know it’s true. I’m sick. I’m still trying to get a grip on my illness. I work way too much, and have literally zero social life except for you.”
Except for you. She didn’t mean to say it, but it was already out. “I’m not what’s best for you. I told you in the text.”
“The text?” He took a deep breath, clearly trying to control his frustration. “Why didn’t you at least call?”
“Because I didn’t want to be talking about this, either!” she shouted, jumping to her feet. Blood rushed through her veins at top speed. Without saying another word, she stomped to the kitchen and poured herself some water. If she didn’t cool off now—literally and figuratively—there would be another flare-up and she would get sick again, and would have to cancel tomorrow’s appointments with her clients and stay away from Cayden.
She heard his footsteps coming closer and his chiseled figure appeared in the doorway. He propped his elbows on either side, taking up a lot of space with his body. The light hit his face just right; his bright blue eyes sparkled like the ocean, but there was still no sign of a smile on his lips.
“You okay? Your health okay?”
“Don’t pretend—”
