Affinity (Part III)

He’d left. She couldn’t believe he’d actually left when she’d asked him too. The old Cade would have grabbed her arm and demanded that she do as he said. He had been controlling, but she’d been so shy, she’d needed someone like him to handle things for her. She’d changed a lot over the years, but obviously, so had he. 1

She wondered if she’d ever see him again. Well, if Nikki and Shane ever got married, he would be a part of the wedding, of course, but other than that…. She wasn’t sure what she wanted. Her life was so hollow. She was married to the best man in the world, but she didn’t love him. She’d tried, but she couldn’t seem to make herself feel anything. Now Cade had barged back in and messed up her illusion of a relationship. 2

She’d left him behind once…. well, more accurately, he’d left her behind, but she could do it again. After all, this time she didn’t plan to get involved with him in any way. 3

With that thought in mind, she dressed for dinner. Nikki had invited her over, though Kara had made Nikki promise that she would let someone else do the cooking before she agreed to come. She often spent time at her friend’s house on nights like these, when Michael was working late and she would be home alone if not for Nikki’s company. 4

She’d been crying again, though she’d tried to hide it with some very powerful concealer. Still, her eyes were swollen and it didn’t seem to be working. She knew it was stupid to shed tears. After all, what more could a girl want? Her husband loved her, adored her even. They had a nice, stable life, their own house, and he wanted children that she couldn’t have…5

She fought to keep down a fresh batch of scalding tears. Her throat burned, the lump stuck there forcing her to swallow hard several times. No, she couldn’t have children, and her husband wanted lots of them…four to be exact, though he would like more if possible. She had never told him about her inability to bear children, though she wasn’t sure why. Cade knew…6

She wasn’t going there tonight, she thought as she pulled up in front of the six-bedroom mansion her friend owned. Kara hated the house. Nikki did, too, but Shane had decided he wanted to fill every bedroom with babies… They, no doubt, would have no trouble doing so, she thought, surprised at her resentment toward Nikki. They’d known each other since they were three years old, and she’d never felt that way. 7

With a sigh, she knocked lightly on the front door before walking inside. And stopped dead in her tracks. 8

Through the doorway between the foyer and the living room, she could see Cade sitting on the couch, his deep voice raised in laughter. She should have expected this, but Nikki should have told her. In fact, where was Nikki? She wondered. 9

Walking into the living room, she ignored Cade and looked directly at Shane. He had a guilty expression on his face, like a cat caught with a mouse-tail hanging out its mouth. No, she thought, he more resembled a dog that had been caught drinking from the toilet. 10

She had to smile at that. 11

She tried to speak, but her voice came out a croak. Clearing her throat, she tried again. “Where’s Nik?” she asked coolly.12

“She’s just finishing up at the studio. The lost some film or something, but she’ll be here soon,” he offered, watching her with a wary expression.13

Ahhhh…so Nikki didn’t know Cade was here. Interesting. “I’ll wait,” she ground out. She admitted to herself she had wanted to see Cade again, but not like this. Not here. It brought back too many memories.14

She looked at Cade. She knew she was staring, but she couldn’t help it, and he seemed just as caught in the spell as she was. Shane left the room, but neither of them noticed. 15

Cade was the first person to break the silence. “Look, Kara, I’m really sorry about the other day,” he said, and for the first time since she’d known him, his apology sounded sincere. “I shouldn’t have asked you that. I know you’re married, but…” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Why don’t you come sit down and we’ll talk about it?” he suggested, and like a moth to a flame, she went to him…16