Page 67 of Fragile Love (Fragile 3)
“I can’t tell you all that. It was girl talk.” A secretive expression touched her face, and quickly disappeared. “I don’t know what spurred this dream, Cayden. It’s the most vivid dream I’ve ever had about her. It was almost more real than back when we used to have hours’ long conversations in real life.”
“Maybe the photo sparked something in your mind.”
“Maybe. Probably. Yeah, likely. Andrew and I also had a long conversation about her back at home. It’s probably a combination of things, really.”
“Well, whatever it was, I’m glad that you got to have some quality time with your best friend, even if it was through a dream.” As the last words came out of his mouth, the waiter brought their breakfast. The table was filled with plates and tiny bowls of jellies and preserves. They both took deep breaths, inhaling the scent of hot pancakes and waffles.
“I didn’t think I was hungry,” Lillian said, unwrapping her silverware from the napkin.
“See? I told you. Toast never cuts it for breakfast.” Cayden bit off a piece of bacon.
“It does for me most mornings.”
“Anyone who says toast works as breakfast for them is a liar. Toast is one of those things people say they love to eat as a meal by itself because they want to be trendy and fit and hip and all that.” He drenched his pancakes in syrup. “This is breakfast. A piece of hot bread is not.”
Lillian chuckled and shook her head. “Whatever. You’re annoying.”
“I’m only telling the truth.”
“Okay.” She took a bite of waffles and moaned. “These are amazing. Try some.”
He wasted no time cutting himself a piece. “Damn, those are good. Try mine.”
“No way. Mine is already too much.” She ate for a few minutes, retreating to that unknown place. Cayden was immersed in his meal, and when she suddenly spoke he was jolted back to reality. “You know,” she said thoughtfully, “I need a getaway.”
“Getaway?”
“Yeah. I need to get away from everything for a little while. From work, home, people, everything. I need time with myself. Amelia had some good points last night. There’s a lot of emotional baggage I’m carrying, and it’s not good for me. And it’s getting into our relationship, which is bad, too.”
“I think you’re fine,” Cayden said, chewing his pancakes.
“I want you to think I’m fine, but I know that I’m not really fine inside. I need to process a lot that’s going on in here.” She tapped her chest.
He smirked. “I can help process you inside.”
“For goodness’ sake.” She rolled her eyes, but he could see that she was pleased. “Every time I try to be serious—”
“You make an accidental innuendo. I know. You’re just so innocent, Lil. You walk into it every time.”
“Would you shut up?” She stuck out her tongue.
He grinned. Happy that she was coming back, not the hollow woman who had joined him at the start of breakfast. “All right, all right. I’m just glad you don’t want to break up again.”
“I didn’t want to break up the first time, Cayden. That’s what I’m talking about. The stuff that I’m carrying into this thing here between us.” She pointed at them. “I want to be with you. I hope we don’t break up again. I want to be the best I can be, for both of us, which means it’s time to face my fears, in a way, and start letting some shit go.”
“I’ll help release some tension.”
She laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”
They finished breakfast slowly, talked over a second cup of coffee, and called a car to take them to Katharina’s house. On the way there they rolled the windows down, letting the cool breeze tousle their hair. Cayden looked at her as she stared out the window at all the passing scenes. She looked far away, but she looked peaceful. He hoped that she would feel that wa
y all the time one day.
The car turned onto Katharina’s street and Lillian suddenly asked him to stop. “We’re not there yet,” Cayden pointed out.
“I know. I just thought we could walk. It’s so pretty outside.” She smiled and opened the door. “Thank you!”
Cayden thanked the driver and climbed out, joining her on the sidewalk. “I like this spontaneity.”
