At home, the house smelled like cinnamon candles and fresh pepperoni pizza. There were streamers. Streamers, for God’s sake. She played the part laughing with the kids, sipping wine, unwrapping their little gifts, a drawing from Macy, a friendship bracelet from Jake Jr.
Jake leaned close to her later that night, after the kids had been tucked in. “It’s good to have you back, Ky.”
She gave a faint smile and nodded. “Yeah. It’s good to be home.”
But the words felt hollow.Jake handed her a fresh glass of wine and leaned against the kitchen counter, watching her with a hesitant smile.
“So,” he said, sipping his beer. “Tell me about your trip. You’ve been quiet since you got back.”
Kylee forced a small laugh, swirling the wine in her glass like she needed time to gather her thoughts or the perfect version of the truth.
“It was good,” she said, keeping her tone light. “The concert was… okay.”
“Just okay?” Jake raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
She nodded, settling into the lie. “Yeah, honestly, it was kind of a letdown. Rio was a total dick at the meet and greet. Rushed everyone. Barely looked at us.”
Jake smirked, seeming pleased. “Seriously? That guy always struck me as a diva.”
“Oh, he absolutely is.” Kylee took a slow sip of her wine, masking the sting of her own words. “Way too full of himself.”
Jake looked satisfied with that answer, and Kylee hated how easy it was to give it.
“What was your favorite part then?”
She smiled, this time genuinely. “The food,” she said. “Oh my god Café du Monde, beignets, shrimp po’boys. And Kelly, of course. She’s a riot. Kept me laughing the whole time.”
Jake nodded, relaxing. “Glad you had fun. You deserved it. Really.”
Kylee just gave him a quiet smile and nodded.
But inside…
She was still standing in the French Quarter, daiquiri in hand.
Still hearing Rio’s voice in her ear.
Still wondering what would’ve happened if she’d said yes….
Jake leaned against the counter, sipping his beer. “I’ve got another day off,” he said, trying to sound casual but with ahopeful lift in his voice. “I figured… maybe we could have a day just the two of us. I already asked Lillian to come after we drop Jake Jr. off. What do you think?”
Kylee turned slowly, her glass halfway to her lips. “A day?”Yeah. I thought we’d drive up to the lake. Maybe hike a little, grab lunch in town. Nothing crazy. Just us.” He stepped closer and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “We could use it, don’t you think?”
“Sure. That sounds… nice. “Nice, she repeated silently. That word again.
That night, after the kids were finally asleep and the dishes had been done, Kylee crawled into bed beside Jake, her body exhausted but her mind buzzing with static. The sheets smelled like lavender and something clean and familiar. Safe. Maybe too safe.
Jake slid in next to her, shirtless, warm, his hand grazing her thigh beneath the covers. “I missed this,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. “Missed you.”
Kylee stiffened. His lips moved to her neck, slow and practiced. His fingers trailed down her side, exploring territory he once knew by heart. But now, it just felt…off. Like someone trying to read a book she’d already rewritten in her mind.
She turned slightly, giving a soft smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes. “I’m really tired,” she whispered. “The trip and the travel caught up with me.”
Jake’s hand paused. “Oh.” He didn’t move right away, his breath warm against her skin. Then he rolled onto his back with a long, quiet sigh. “Okay. Yeah, of course.”
Kylee stared up at the ceiling, guilt pooling in her chest. She knew he noticed the change, the hesitation in her touch, the barrier she hadn’t tried to break. But she couldn’t fake it, not tonight. Maybe not ever again.
Next to her, Jake’s breathing slowed, drifting toward sleep. But Kylee stayed awake for a long time, tangled in sheets and unspoken truths, her heart still wandering Bourbon Street.
