Redesigning Fate (Revive #1) - A. M. Wilson Page 0,64

I try to gather my thoughts.

“Katie is the receptionist at my work. The one who I told you was a total bitch. But, what I forgot to tell you is she started to date Travis a while back.” A squeeze in my throat causes me to pause, guilt rising through me. Reaching for my glass, I notice Carly’s eyes have gone wide, her perfectly tweezed eyebrows disappearing beneath her black bangs. Gulping down my water, I continue. “Shit, Carly. He did this. He had to have done this to her. This is all my fault.” Tears sting my eyes but I will them away, rapidly blinking my eyelashes. I will not cry. I will not cry.

“Stop it, Marlena. This is not your fault. You can’t help what that sick bastard does.” She reaches out her hand, placing it on top of mine still resting on my glass.

“No, but I should have reported him months ago, called the police, pressed charges, anything! Before he could hurt somebody else. And now I’m too late.” My head falls, chin to my chest. I try to stifle the sob rising in my throat. It comes out sounding like a wet hiccup instead.

“You can’t change that now. What you can do is protect yourself. He’s getting more reckless, and after the incident with him showing up at your house…” she pauses, effectively regaining my eye contact before continuing, “You know what you need to do. You need to call Elias.”

I wasn’t expecting her to say that. Call the police, maybe. But, Elias? What can he do?

“What does he have to do with this? He hasn’t called me for a week! Clearly he’s finished with me.” I notice Carly’s eyes go wide, somehow wider than they already were. I’d be impressed if I wasn’t so curious about what made her suddenly look that way.

“Oh no, babe. Not. Even. Close.” His deep voice rumbles from behind me. Shit.

Carly swiftly releases her hold on my hand, packing her cell phone and keys in her purse.

“You two need to talk.” She stands abruptly before I can stop her. “I’ll catch you later, Marlena. Nice to see you again Elias.” She calls out, waving over her shoulder as she B-lines for the door.

I fidget with my straw wrapper, trying to avoid making eye contact with him. Taking a deep breath, I force myself to relax. The wrapper I’ve been twisting and torturing disintegrates between my fingers. I drop the mangled piece of paper to the table and raise a steady gaze to meet Elias’s probing stare.

“How did you know where to find me?”

“I’ll always find you, Marlee.”

“Sure didn’t seem that way when you haven’t called me for a week.” Embarrassment colors my cheeks. Or possibly, it’s a flare of anger. It appears we are about to duke it out in the middle of this quiet suburban diner. I stare him down, my eyes pleading with him to give me an honest reply. I’ve heard enough bullshit lies from men to last me the rest of this life and the next. Something in my gut tells me if he can’t be straight, then this is it. I fought too hard to regain my self-worth after leaving Travis. I’m not about to let some other man knock me back down.

“I’m embarrassed about what happened on Saturday.” He scrubs his hand along his brow, brushing a few of those silky blonde strands off his forehead. Shaking his head, he returns his gaze to mine. “I should have called or sent you a text, but something came up that I had to deal with.”

With a tilt of my head, I try to urge him to continue. He remains as still as granite. His unwavering expression tells me he’s finished.

That’s it? No apology, hardly an explanation. Not good enough.

“That’s all you have to say to me after leaving me high and dry for a week? Are you here to break up with me or to get me back, because I must say, I’m pretty damn confused by the way you’re acting right now.”

“There wasn’t any breaking up, so there isn’t a need to get you back. And I’m not breaking up with you now. I’m sorry you were hurt when I didn’t call. I feel like a jackass for ruining the dinner you worked hard to make.”

The waitress pops up carrying two platters and falters when she notices Carly has left our table.

“Is there one more?” She asks me while undressing Elias with her pale