The Broken-hearted She And The Icy He

A Quiet Line Crossed

A Quiet Line Crossed

After a moment’s pause, James added blandly, “When you’re with that old classmate of yours, make sure you don’t let yourself get taken advantage of”

The second she heard him mention that so–called old classmate–who didn’t even exist–Lily’s heart skipped a beat.

She figured he probably just wanted her and that imaginary guy to get together as soon as possible. That way. Henry might finally approve the divorce, and James would be free.

He’d already done so much for her tonight. She definitely owed him a bit of reassurance. Without missing a beat, she said, “Don’t worry, we’re doing great. We’re really in love. He’s such a good person–kind and caring. I feel really happy when I’m with him. Honestly… we might even get married after we finalize the divorce. And when that happens, you’re invited.”

She turned toward the front seat and tacked on, out of politeness, “You too, Ashton. You’ll both have to come to the wedding.”

“Mm.”

James knew Lily had been getting along well with her supposed old classmate, but he hadn’t expected things to have progressed to the point of marriage.

He’d been wishing she’d settle down quickly with someone else.

But for some reason, hearing her say it aloud didn’t bring the relief he’d expected.

Instead, a strange discomfort stirred inside him. And, just like that, he didn’t feel like talking anymore.

He didn’t look at her again, simply turned his face toward the window and stared silently at the traffic streaming by.

Ashton, meanwhile, was about ready to drop dead from the shock.

He and the boss were supposed to go to Madam’s wedding?

attending the crowning ceremony of the

boss seemed kind of into

Henry had told

an eye on

hoped the boss could straighten out and live a peaceful life

only wanted to toast at Madam’s

that, the boss had asked Ashton to prep all the gear for a camping trip

1/3

couldn’t exactly follow around twenty–four seven. What

a grim expression, soul thoroughly crushed. What

in the car, Lily had mostly recovered. She didn’t want to trouble James by

dim, so she hadn’t noticed his appearance. But once

white shirt–always spotless–was now a

curled inside her slippers. She felt terrible. Her voice barely more than a whisper, she said.

to offer to pay him

In the end, she didn’t bring it up and instead

“Mm.”

down at

tears had soaked into the fabric. It

didn’t

a mild cleanliness obsession since he was a child. He didn’t like people getting too close,

up in his arms,

with dirt, had stained his shirt, but even that hadn’t made

in his mind instead was the memory of her tears falling, one after another, and how each

lifted his eyes again, he saw the red marks still visible

“Go

grabbed a change of clothes and stepped