Page 47 of Whispered Promises
Brie looked back at him in confusion.
Candy rushed to the door, crying happily, “Oh, my goodness, Brie. What a surprise to see you. And you brought the baby, too!”
Before Captain invited her in, he asked, “I assume you came to see Mary?”
“It’s the whole reason I came.” She lowered her eyes, stammering, “But…if she doesn’t want to see me…” She sighed uncomfortably. “…I understand.”
Captain let out an amused snort and glanced at Candy. Opening the door wider, he commanded, “Come in, Mrs. Davis.”
Brie silently questioned the private exchange between the two, but she took solace in knowing that Captain would not have invited her in to their house if he didn’t think she should be there.
They remained silent as Captain led Brie to the living room, but Candy glanced back at Brie with a welcoming smile.
“Take a seat,” he ordered.
Brie immediately sat down on the couch.
“Wait here while I speak with leif.”
Before leaving the room, he turned to Candy. “They’ll require refreshments.” He paused for a moment before adding, “And tissues, as well.”
“Yes, Captain,” Candy replied.
Candy gave Brie a big hug before heading into the kitchen, telling her, “This is such a wonderful surprise.” She looked at Antony and murmured, “I can’t believe how much he looks like his daddy!”
“I know,” Brie agreed, grinning down at her son.
Her anxiety began to increase with each passing minute she sat there alone with her son after Candy left the room.
Brie listened carefully. Mary wasn’t spewing profanities like the last time she’d visited. However, the house seemed eerily silent, and that did not bode well.
Antony stared up at her with wide eyes. His presence kept Brie rooted where she was, when all she wanted to do was run out the door.
The moment Brie heard Captain’s boots announcing his return, a feeling of dread washed over her. He entered the room first and pointed to the chair beside Brie. “Leif, you will sit there and listen to what Mrs. Davis has come to say.”
Mary looked at Captain pensively but did as he asked without making eye contact with Brie. Candy joined them a few moments later, placing a tray with two glasses of water and a plate of cookies on the coffee table. “I’m all out of iced tea, but I’d be happy to make you some coffee if you’d like.”
Brie picked up one of the glasses and told her, “Water’s perfect. Thank you.”
Mary didn’t say anything. She only gazed pleadingly at Captain.
“We’ll leave you two alone now,” he announced, holding out his arm to Candy to escort her out. Together, they left Brie alone with an obviously unhappy Mary.
Letting out a nervous sigh, Brie took a small sip of water before setting the glass back down. Mary still refused to look in Brie’s direction, keeping her gaze focused on the wall in front of her.
It gave Brie the chance to stare openly at Mary.
Although she had dark circles under her eyes and her hair looked stringy and unwashed, Mary still looked striking, as if nothing could touch her beauty—not even the horrors of Greg Holloway.
It gave her hope for Mary. Just as she was about to reach out to touch her friend, Mary snapped, “Get it over with, bitch, so I can leave.”
Brie expected the anger in Mary’s voice, but it still cut her like a knife. She was mute for a moment. It suddenly occurred to her that this might be the last time she would ever be in the same room as Mary.
“M—” she started, but the huge lump in her throat strangled her voice. Brie knew their friendship was on the line and the next few minutes could define the rest of their future relationship. Taking a moment to recover, Brie tried again. “Mary…I’m sorry.”
Mary frowned, turning her head to gape at Brie. “What. The. Fuck.”
Brie swallowed back her tears, adding, “I understand why you never want to see me again.”
