That day, I brought it up as casually as I could.
"Who's Lena? An ex?"
Curtis was holding me from behind. His voice came out low and muffled against my hair.
"Why are you asking about that all of a sudden?"
He didn't confirm it. He didn't deny it either. He just pressed a kiss to my forehead.
"That's all in the past."
Something twisted inside me, but when I looked up and met his gentle gaze, the words died on my tongue.
Some questions you never dare ask—because you're terrified of the answer.
Now the answer had walked right up to me on its own.
All those things he called "the past" had never actually passed.
I fumbled for my phone. The screen flickered to life for a split second, then went black.
Dead.
When your luck runs out, even the universe piles on.
Curtis wasn't home yet when I got back.
I iced my ankle, curled up on the couch, and couldn't summon the energy to move.
He came through the door carrying a small cake, flipped on the light, and paused when he saw me. A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
He set the cake on the table in front of me, crouched down, and ruffled my hair the way he always did.
"Is it cramps? Let me wash up and I'll make you some hot tea."