The Depths Of Our Love

Chapter 2

Waking up to the side of my bed empty again, I let out a long sigh.

Cold again.

"Did he not come home at all?" I whispered, as I stared at the vacant space next to me. The sheets were still smooth, undisturbed, like they had been since I crawled into bed the night before. The chill of that untouched cotton crept into my skin—and deeper still, into the parts of me that were already sore from missing him.

Aiden's absence had started to feel like a permanent fixture in our home—like the echo of something that used to be warm, and whole, and easy. I hated that I was growing used to this ache, as if I was supposed to adjust to a life with half the oxygen.

I rubbed my eyes, trying to stop the tears from coming out. Then I saw it.

A note.

Folded neatly on the nightstand, propped against the lamp like it had been placed with care. The handwriting was unmistakable—strong, slanted, a little rushed at the end of each line like he'd written it fast, maybe in the back of a car, or hunched his desk at some ungodly hour.

I hesitated before picking it up, almost afraid of what it would say. Part of me wanted it to explain everything. The other part just wanted to feel remembered.

Dear Lily,

I know we haven't talked much lately, and I'm sorry for that. I know it's probably been weighing on your mind, and I hate that I've made you feel like you're alone in all of this. But if there's one thing I want you to know, it's that you never, ever leave my thoughts. You're constantly with me—even when I'm too busy to show it. I want you to know that I'm okay, though. Really. This deal is just... bigger than I thought. But it's temporary. And when it's over, I promise, you and I will have all the time we need. I miss you more than words can say, and I can't wait to hold you again. You mean more to me than you'll ever know.

Love always,

Aiden

I read it once. Then again. Each word both comforted and hollowed me out. I wanted to believe him—I did believe him—but believing didn't stop the silence from settling in after I set the paper down. It didn't stop the weight in my chest, or the way my fingers curled in the sheets, searching for the warmth he'd once left behind.

Promises are beautiful. But they aren't the same as presence.

And lately, his absence feels louder than anything else in this house.

As the tears welled up in my eyes, I took a shaky breath, wiping them away. No. I wasn't going to let this take me down today. I needed space—space from him, from all the silence that had begun to swallow me whole. Without thinking, I grabbed my phone and texted Grace.

Me: Meet me at 'Not on a Monday' cafe at 2:00 pm.

Grace: You finally learned to text me instead of calling in the mornings, very good. Okay, see you at 2.

Rolling my eyes, I got out of bed and started my day. As I brushed my teeth I started losing myself to memories from college, specifically to the time I officially met Aiden.

Walking out of my design class, I couldn't help but feel like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. My final portfolio was due in three days, my exam was tomorrow, and I haven't started on my job applications. And to make matters worse, I couldn't stop thinking about him. The guy with those electric blue eyes that seemed to follow me wherever I went. Ugh. Why did I even go to that party? This was all Grace's fault. If she hadn't dragged me along, I wouldn't have spent the entire night thinking about a guy I barely knew.