Page 4 of Fragile Love (Fragile 3)
“Remember when you brought me pancakes that morning?” A little smile touched her lips. It seemed like forever ago.
“Before we really knew each other, right?”
“Yeah. You brought me a little flower from your garden, too. I think.”
Cayden opened the car door for Lillian and crossed over to the driver’s side. “Lil, you’ve always held me captive.”
“What?”
“You’re magical. You’re enchanting. I can’t explain it. I’m talking a lot because I’m freakin’ tired and it’s cold. My body got used to Los Angeles’ mild weather.”
“There’s nothing magical about me, Cayden.”
“Yeah, there is, Lil.” The way he said it wasn’t argumentative. It was blunt but gentle at the same time, like he was stating a fact about something he was an expert on. “I was going to be lost there for a little while, without you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I thought I was going to have to give you the talk.”
“What talk?” She wasn’t sure if it was her tired mind losing things in translation or if he really wasn’t making sense in his delirious state.
“The talk. You know, where I tell you the tough truth. You can keep breaking up with me, but there’s no way I could break up with you. It’s impossible.”
“Cayden...” she trailed off, unsure of where she was going with her reply.
“You’ll see it soon,” he interjected. “You’ll see how incredible you are.”
The drive to the hotel took less than ten minutes. They didn’t talk until they were safely in the room. It was a basic room with a king-size bed, but it couldn’t have been more appealing if it were the penthouse.
“Don’t let me sit on the bed,” Lillian commanded, shielding her eyes from the soft blankets and cushy pillows. “Don’t even let me touch it. I won’t get up.”
“Maybe you should crash.”
“I’m going to shower first. Apparently, I need it.” She stuck her tongue out at him and bee-lined for the bathroom, stripping her clothes off and throwing them on the floor in a messy trail. When the door shut, she heard him pick them up and start the hot water kettle.
What’s he doing? She started the water and pulled herself into the shower, almost melting in the warmth. An angel chorus sounded in her head as she scrubbed her body with a pouf provided by the hotel. The shampoo, which was entirely normal, smelled like heaven; she could feel the germs and stagnant air of the hospital being washed off her skin and down the drain with the soapsuds.
In reality, she was only in the shower long enough to wash her body and hair with as much care as she could muster in her worn-out shape, but it felt like long enough for her to feel her eyelids getting heavier and heavier. Finally, she turned the water off, upset that she wasn’t more awake to stay in longer.
When she opened the door, a huge mass of steam rushed into the room. “Whoa!” Cayden exclaimed. “Have a good time in there?”
“I can’t feel my body.” The words felt slurred.
“I have some tea for you.” He poured hot water from the kettle into a paper cup. “It’s just the tea bags that were already here, but I thought it might be nice to warm you up before sleeping.”
“Thank you,” she breathed, taking the cup and gingerly sitting on the bed. “Are you going to shower?”
“A quick rinse.” He nodded at the chair in the corner. “Your clothes are there.”
“Sorry I threw them everywhere.”
“Don’t apologize. It was hot.” He winked. Lillian felt her cheeks getting hot, but luckily Cayden disappeared into the bathroom. The room was quiet except for the sound of running water. She looked around. The typical mini fridge was there in the wall unit. The television was flat screen, far from the current model but not outdated.
Nice place, she thought, taking a sip and looking back at her clothes on the chair. Cayden had taken care to fold them like the clothing stores did, stacking them neatly on top of each other. He had put her bag on the little table by the door, and his backpack on the floor.
Why would he do this? She couldn’t fathom why he would take time off and join her here to watch after Andrew. He had no obligation to be there. Andrew was closer to being family to her than to him; in fact, he and Andrew hadn’t gotten along well at all when they met.
“You’ll see it soon,” she heard Cayden’s voice from earlier in the car. “You’ll see how amazing you are.”
