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“I don’t remember it offhand, but I still have his business card. I’ll take a picture and text it to you as soon as we hang up.”
Blythe sighed. “Thank you, Gigi.”
“You’ll let me know whatever you find out?”
“Of course.”
“She’s a wonderful girl, Blythe. I think she’s been hurt by people who she should have been able to trust. I don’t want that to happen again.”
Blythe didn’t want to say it to Gigi, but she was beginning to think that the untrustworthy one was Addison herself.
− 44 −
Cassandra
When I left this morning to go to the grocery store, I noticed a silver car parked on the side of the road outside the house. I didn’t think too much of it at the time, but now as I approach the driveway, I see that the car is still there. It has Massachusetts tags, but I can’t see if anyone is inside because the windows are heavily tinted. My heart quickens as I glance into the rearview mirror and watch as it pulls in behind me. We’re not expecting anyone, and I’m starting to feel panicky. I don’t know what to do. If I hit the remote and pull into the garage, whoever’s in the car will have instant access to the house. I decide to park in front of the house and stay in the car, with the doors locked and the phone in my hand.
As I watch, the driver’s-side door of the silver car opens, and I’m shocked to see Gabriel step out. My heart begins beating faster. My first instinct is to run over and hug him, but just as quickly, my excitement turns to anger. He shouldn’t be here. I told him I was trying to make my marriage work. To leave me alone. What if Julian were home? I think back to my phone conversation with Gigi a few weeks ago and wonder if she encouraged him to come and see me. Before I am out of my car, he’s standing a few feet from it, waiting. Slowly I open my door and get out. He continues to stand there, looking at me but not speaking. He’s lost weight. His face is hollow and gaunt-looking, and his eyes are haunted.
“Addison,” he says finally, stepping closer.
My mouth feels suddenly dry. “What are you doing here, Gabriel?”
“I can’t stand this, Addy. I had to see you. I can’t reach you at all, and I was worried.” He reaches out to try and hug me, but I shrink back. His eyes widen in surprise.
“You shouldn’t have come. You don’t belong here,” I tell him, my voice hoarse with emotion.
“No.” His eyes are on fire. “Youdon’t belong here.”
“How can you say that? Julian is my husband. We have a child together. This is my home.”
Gabriel looks up at the house and makes a face. “Looks like a prison.”
I feel myself growing impatient. “This isn’t helping anything, Gabriel.”
He looks down at the ground and runs a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I just—I miss you. I needed to see you, to make sure for myself that you were okay. You haven’t been responding to any of my texts.” Then, lifting his eyes to me, he says, “It’s cold out here. I’ve come all this way; can we go inside and talk? Please?”
I hesitate, struggling to decide what to do. I’m torn. He looks so miserable that I can almost feel his pain. “Okay, just for a few minutes,” I say.
He stands in the hallway as I hang my coat and shakes his head when I offer to take his. I’m relieved that he seems uncomfortable in Julian’s house—he should be.
“We can go in the kitchen. I’ll make some coffee.” I deliberately choose the kitchen, where we can sit across from each other with a table between us.
Gabriel puts his coat over the back of the chair and sits while I make two cups of coffee. I pour cream into his and realize I don’teven have to think about it, as if we’re still together. Julian takes his black.
Setting both cups on the table, I take a seat, still feeling nervous about letting him come in. I know Julian wouldn’t like it. “We said our goodbyes already. You shouldn’t have come here. I don’t know what you thought it would accomplish.”
He looks at me for a long time. “I was worried. The last time we spoke, you sounded so different. You don’t look happy, Addy.”
I flinch, hearing his old nickname for me. I’m not Addy anymore.
“My name is Cassandra,” I say defiantly.
“It’s just... your being here. It feels all wrong to me.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose between my thumb and index finger and close my eyes.
“Are you happy? Is this really where you want to be?” Gabriel pushes.