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She reached the stairs and called up. “I’m running over to Candice’s. I’ll bring ice cream back.”
“Mint chip,” Justin called back.
“Cookie dough for me,” Ashley shouted.
“You got it.”
_______________
On the drive over, Tilly tried to think of the best way to break the news that she was having an affair. Standing in Candice’s living room, she just blurted it out.
“I slept with Gage.”
Candice had just taken a bite of pizza; she almost choked on it. Tilly hurried over, giving her a few whacks on the back. “You okay?”
“Shit,” Candice said when she could breathe again. “Give a gal some warning next time.” Watery eyes looked up at Tilly. “Your weekend away...it wasn’t a coincidence.”
She wasn’t asking.
“No.”
Candice reached for her wine, taking a long drink. Placing her glass back down, she leveled concerned eyes Tilly’s way. “You spent the weekend with him.”
“Yes.”
Candice sat back on the sofa and let out a deep breath. “I’m not sure how to react to that,” she said truthfully. “I suspected things were heading that way with you two, but…” She stood, needing to pace, and pulled a hand through her hair as she did.
“He’ll be in Hershey,” Tilly confessed.
Candice stopped pacing, her head jerking to Tilly. “You’re going to see him?”
“Yes.”
“Shit, Tilly.”
“I know,” Tilly said, dropping down on the sofa, grabbing her glass of wine and emptying it. “I know. It’s crazy, it’s madness, but I can’t help it. He…” Tilly set her glass down then sat back on the sofa, rubbing her hands over her face. “Even when he’s right next to me, he isn’t close enough. I can’t get enough of him. I think about him all the time.” Tilly met Candice’s stare. “When he mentioned Hershey, I didn’t even think about it. And I know, I’m playing with fire, but I haven’t felt this alive...well, ever.”
Candice joined Tilly on the sofa, concern pouring off her. “I get it. At least I think I do. I’ve not seen you this happy in a long time, but when you say you’re playing with fire,” she held Tilly’s stare and emphasized, “You really are playing with fire. If Luke finds out.”
Tilly’s heart dropped at the mention of Luke. So wrapped up in Gage, she tried not to let her thoughts drift to the impact of what she was doing.
“If he knew you were having an affair…” Candice stood and started to pace again. “Shit, I don’t know what he’d do, but I know he would be out for blood.” She reached the far end of the room and looked back at Tilly. “Divorce for sure, but I think he’d hit you where it’d really hurt.”
Fear washed over Tilly so badly, her body started to shake because she had thought that too. “My kids.”
“Yeah. He’d fight for full custody and with you not being in a place to support yourself and the kids, and with him getting to play the wounded party with you being unfaithful, he stands a good chance of winning.”
Tilly twisted her fingers together, her heart beating to the point of pain. She didn’t want her kids pulled into it, but her actions would force them there. She hated knowing that.
“You need to think about what you’re doing, Tilly. What happens if your affair is discovered? The consequences.”
“I know. Fuck, I know. The thing is, even knowing what Luke would do, the impact on my kids...”
Candice read her perfectly. “He really makes you feel that good?”
Tilly’s voice was soft when she confessed, “He does. It isn’t just about sex. I mean the sex is—”
“I’m guessing phenomenal with the way you’re glowing.”
