Page 84 of Cryptic Curse

I was the good one.The reliable one.The one who didn’t make waves.

So she didn’t look at me the way she looked at the others.Not with pride, not with concern—just…not at all.Falcon did everything first and got noticed.Eagle did everything last and got noticed.I followed the rules.I got straight A’s.I tucked in my shirt and said thank you and never once raised my voice.

And it never felt like enough.

She’d brag about the others.One’s a fighter, she’d say.The other’s sensitive.She called them passionate.Complicated.And me?

“He’s always fine.”

I was always fine.Even when I wasn’t.

I remember winning an award in high school—statewide, a big deal.She clapped politely and then left early to pick up Eagle from soccer practice.

Sometimes I wonder if I had messed up more, if I’d been harder to love, would she have tried harder to see me?

But I didn’t.I never gave her a reason to worry.

And I guess that’s the problem.

“She’s a good mom,” I say.

It’s not a lie.

Sheisa good mother.

But she sees only what she wants to see.

Which doesn’t include me, apparently.

“So…my place?”she asks.

Her place.Just Daniela and me.Alone.Waiting for my clothes to dry.

Not the best idea.

“Sure,” I say.

Or rather, my cock says.

She smiles as we walk to the laundry room, grab my damp clothes out of the washer, and then walk to the door that leads to her mini apartment.

She takes the clothes from me and heads to a tiny alcove behind a closet door.She opens it, puts my clothes in the dryer, and starts the machine.She turns, and her dark eyes are heavy-lidded and her full lips slightly parted.

“You keep looking at me like that,” I say, leaning back against the couch, “and I’m going to forget how patient I promised I’d be.”

She doesn’t smile.Doesn’t tease.Just folds her arms and stares at the floor.

“I’m not trying to tease,” she says finally.“I’m trying not to mess this up.”

I tilt my head.“You think touching me would mess this up?”

She lifts her gaze to mine.There’s heat there, yeah—but it’s tangled up in guilt and fear and something…quieter.Sadder.

She sighs.“I think if I let myself want this too much right now, I won’t think clearly.And I need to think clearly.”

I nod, even though it hurts.Even though I’ve memorized the way she looks when her fingers twitch like she wants to reach for me but doesn’t.“Because of the divorce.”

She nods.“Because I’m still technically married.Because of my past, I want to at least do marriage right.”