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We walk over the Lester River bridge and I guide her to a bench on the edge of the park for now. There are a couple of kids playing on the playground, but we’re far enough away that it doesn’t matter. If anything, their laughter and giggles might help lighten the mood a bit.
We sit, facing the playground and I’m taken back to the days when it was the two of us running around the park,ourlaughter in the air. She always loved the swings most. She’d lean back, pumping her legs hard until she was practically flying. Then, she’d stare up at the sky and talk about all the things that are out there … beyond the blue canopy.
Her face was always so radiant as she swung back and forth, her brown hair swaying in the motion.
Things were so much simpler back then. I miss that light she’d shine most—especially in times like these. I’d do anything to get her spark back.
She shudders slightly beside me and I reach out, drawing her nearer. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and she rests her head against my shoulder, letting go of a strangled breath.
Frogs and crickets have begun singing their nighttime songs as twilight descends. For a while, we sit there, listening to their serenade and the relaxing sounds of water flowing.
Somewhere in the distance, a horn honks, bringing me back to the moment at hand.
“Quinn’s been trying to get ahold of you,” I say, finally breaking the silence.
She doesn’t lift her head or even really acknowledge my words. I almost think she didn’t hear me, until she whispers, “Why?”
I hesitate for a moment, wondering how much to share and when. “He heard something … about Seth.”
Her body tenses beside me, and she raises her face to mine, her eyes searching for answers. “What did he hear?”
I tug my bottom lip through my teeth, gauging her emotional state. “It’s about his job, Lil.”
She pulls back slightly, confusion evident. “What about his job?”
Taking a deep breath, I finally offer, “He works—well,worked—with Quinn's cousin. Apparently he made a decision.”
Her brown eyes widen. “What decision?”
Shit, she didn’t know.
My heart thuds unevenly as I contemplate my next sentence. Instead of telling her what she wants to know, I ask a question in its place. “Lily, what happened back there?”
She raises her face to the sky and sits up straighter. Her teeth worry her lip, drawing my attention to them, so I shift my gaze to the kids to keep myself grounded.
One of the kids on the playground squeals, ducking into the slide. When she hits the bottom, she races to the other end of the equipment as her friend dashes after her.
A smile creeps onto my face.
Such innocence.
Finally, Lily whispers, “Seth and I …” She lets a whoosh of air blow past those lips. “We’re getting divorced. He doesn’t want—” Her voice cracks.
I turn to face her. “Sethbroke upwith you?” My stupid heart damn near prances in my chest but I have to shake it off. However, I can’t eradicate a tiny glimmer of hope that blooms like a goddamn golden sparkler. “Are—are you okay?”
She shudders again and shakes her head‘no.’
Sighing, I pull her close again.
“Seth quit his job, apparently,” I admit after a beat of silence, watching the kids play. “That’s what Quinn wanted to warn you about. He thought maybe it would be important.”
“Oh.”
My mind whirls through the ramifications of what Lily’s just gone through. This has been one helluva few days. I can only imagine the pressure she’s under. The devastation.
“I’m sorry, Lily,” I mutter softly. And I mean it. Ireallydo.
As much as I wish she were mine, the last thing in the world I want for her is to be hurt. It’s obvious how much she still cares for Seth. Even if things weren’t …
