Silver Lining by Wanda B. Campbell Read Free Book Online Page B

you always have to be so formal? You can address me as Marlissa. You were the best man at our wedding, for goodness’ sake.” Tyson Stokes was more than Kevin’s attorney; he was also his best friend.
    â€œMarlissa, this is not a social call, it’s business.” Tyson exposed the legal-sized envelope from inside his jacket, and immediately Marlissa felt the muscles in her chest tighten. She glanced around the empty office and prayed it would remain that way until she finished the breakdown she was sure to have after Tyson handed her the divorce papers.
    â€œOf course it’s business. You’re always the bearer of bad news.”
    â€œDon’t look a gift horse in its mouth.” Tyson smirked then got right to business. “My client has altered the divorce settlement.”
    Marlissa wanted clarification on what that meant, but Tyson pushed forward before she could voice it.
    â€œDr. Jennings is giving you possession of the Lexus he purchased for you as a wedding present.” Marlissa’s jaw fell open as Tyson placed the envelope on her desk. “Here are the keys, title, and proof of insurance. The car is parked outside.” Marlissa gaped from Tyson to the envelope and back again. “He’ll carry the insurance until you are financially able to afford the premium.”
    Tyson stopped talking long enough for her to respond. “Why did he do that?”
    â€œHonestly, Marlissa, I don’t know. This is totally against my advice, but, then again, Kevin has been doing a lot of things lately that don’t make sense to me.”
    Curiosity got the best of her. “Things like what?”
    Tyson smiled for once, and Marlissa knew a snide remark was coming. “Marlissa, if you want to know the answer to that question, do what you should have done a year ago: talk to your husband while he’s still your husband.”
    Marlissa retreated in her chair, resting her chin against her hand. “I want to talk to him, but he puts up an iron wall guarded by two pit bulls when it comes to me.”
    â€œI don’t know who is worse, you or him.” Tyson shook his head. Marlissa knew the friend was now speaking and not the lawyer. “Look closer, Marlissa. It could be that those pit bulls are nothing but baby Chihuahuas.”
    She thought about Tyson’s words long after he’d left. Could Leon be accurate in his assessment of Kevin’s feelings toward her? In the wedding vows he’d written and recited to her, he’d vowed to always love her. The mere fact that he provided her with a vehicle one day after finding out that she didn’t have one showed that Kevin still cared for her. But how much? Marlissa wondered.
    Tyson knew Kevin better than anyone, and for him to suggest that Kevin still harbored feelings for her carried a lot of merit. One thing was for sure: Marlissa would have to be assertive and aggressive if she wanted to succeed in getting Kevin to open up to her again. She would have to make the first move.
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    â€œGod, please don’t let me make a fool of myself. Father, please help me find the right words to say,” Marlissa prayed, walking down the sterile halls of Sutter Hospital where Kevin’s reputation in eye surgery was worshipped. His patients loved him and refused to see anyone but him. Some waited up to three months just for an appointment. She stopped and admired Kevin’s photo hanging on the wall of the specialty clinic. The image staring back at her was everything she’d ever wanted in a man. His smile was welcoming and his eyes gentle. Gentle, she thought. Kevin had always been gentle with her body the few times she’d allowed him to make love to her, but she’d never shared that with him. Marlissa tightly clutched the pastry box containing the banana cream pie from Kevin’s favorite bakery, and prayed he would accept her small token of thanks.
    After a light knock on