page62 (1/2)

That restrooo in to dothe in a breath mint, I exit the restroom and make my way to the staircase that leads up Just as I raisefroe sectional sofa in front of the TV, I see Tacker sitting by hi blankly at the darkened screen

My first instinct is to ignore him and head upstairs, only because I’ve been told howwith people I don’t want to s aard for him or cause him distress

But there’s sohtly haunted expression on his face that has o, and I recognize so of myself within him

Iside of the sectional sofa until I come into his view He blinks at me in surprise, then just stares

We had not actually been introduced yet, so I take the ht san”

Tacker raises his hand to give irlfriend”

I can tell by the flat tone of his voice that this conversation is not welcome

I’m not welcome

For the life ofto say that could engage this taciturn, withdrawn man

Except…

“I’irlfriend I’m his wife”

Tacker’s large body physically jerks atupward He doesn’t say a word, but he can’t hide the interest I find within his eyes

“Actually, I’ burst of honesty “I have paroxyslobinuria It’s a deadly blood disease Dax married me so I could be put on his health insurance because there’s a lifesaving treatet it”

I cock h to make a connection Why I feel the need to do this I have no clue, other than I guess I just feel sorry for so a bond with soing

Tacker remains silent so I say, “No one knohat I just told you It’s a secret Well, soend knoe’re married And now you But that’s it”

“Why tellthose three words

I take it as an invitation to keep talking,uy who doesn’t go around telling secrets”