SHAPES UNSPOKEN

- 16 -

HAPPY READING 🥰

Sean Britto

Annabelle and I had been standing there for at least five minutes, just looking at each other.

There was doubt in her eyes.

And I didn't like it one bit.

I had said everything I could upstairs. Promised her with words. Reassured her. But maybe it was time to let my actions speak.

Without breaking eye contact, I took her hand and laced our fingers together. She hesitated for half a second, then let me lead her out of my room, down the stairs, and into the living room where everyone had gathered.

The laughter from the party drifted in from the patio. Red and blue balloons floated along the ceiling. Steph's high-pitched giggle carried through the house.

Cindy was kneeling near the couch, helping Steph adjust part of his Spider-Man costume.

The second we stepped into the room, the air shifted.

Annabelle stiffened beside me. I felt it immediately-the tension in her grip, the way her shoulders squared. It was understandable. No matter what I had told her, standing in the same room as my still-wife wasn't easy.

I squeezed her hand gently.

Trust me.

"Cindy," I called out, announcing our presence.

She looked up at me with a bright smile. For a brief second, it looked natural-like muscle memory. Then her eyes shifted to our intertwined hands.

Her expression changed instantly.

Shock.

Then something else-hurt? Realization?

Annabelle subtly tried to pull her hand away, but I held on firmly. I wasn't hiding her. Not today.

Before either of us could speak, Steph ran over and grabbed Annabelle's free hand.

"See, Mom! This is Miss Anna-my girlfriend!"

He beamed proudly.

I glanced down at him. My son had impeccable timing.

I crouched to his level. "Buddy, why don't you take Miss Anna outside and show her the bounce castle? I need a few minutes to talk to your mom."

"What's wrong, Daddy?"

"Nothing's wrong," I said calmly. "Just grown-up talk. Go enjoy your party, Spider-Man."

He studied my face for a second, then nodded and tugged Annabelle toward the patio.

Before she left, I leaned close to her ear and kissed her softly near her lips. "Excuse me for a moment."

I caught Brian's eye and gave him a look. He immediately stepped in to keep things moving.

Then I turned back to Cindy.

"You ready to talk?" I asked, my voice steady but firm.

She swallowed. "Can we do this after the party?"

"No," I said evenly. "We won't make a scene. Steph's distracted. It's better this way."

I walked toward my study, and after a moment, she followed.

Inside, I closed the door and leaned against my desk. I offered her a chair. She sat.

For a second, I just looked at her.

She looked good. Put together. Familiar.

But not enough to pull me backward.

"Sean," she began quickly, "I'm ready to work on us. Coming home to an empty house every night... it's lonely."