Page 23 of Circle of Strangers
“It suits you,” I say, trying to keep my tone light despite the voice in the back of my head telling me that everything’s changing—almost too fast.
Will’s really taking this fresh start thing to heart.
“Glad to hear it.” He presses a smiling kiss against my mouth before taking his attaché off the island. “If you hated it, I’d have to return it.”
I lean against the counter, arms crossed, studying him like he’s a puzzle with pieces that don’t quite fit. He smells good, looks even better—but that flicker of doubt still stirs in the back of my mind.
“So, lunch today?” I ask, trying not to sound too eager. We’d planned to meet at a little bistro downtown—a rare chance to steal some time just for us.
Will winces, his mouth pulling into an apologetic frown. “About that ... I won’t be able to make it today. A couple of my students asked if we could meet during lunch. They’re struggling with some assignments. How’s Monday look for you? I’ll be free around one.”
The words are casual, perfectly reasonable, but they land wrong. My brain catalogs them like evidence in a case I never dreamed I’d be building. He’s been too happy lately. Too eager to please. He’s given himself a makeover. And now he’s wearing a new scent.
It could all mean nothing.
Or not.
I press my lips together, nodding slowly. “I see.”
Will notices the shift immediately. He sets his bag down, stepping toward me, concern flickering in his eyes. “Hey. Don’t give me that frown. I’ll make it up to you, okay? I promise.”
I force a tight smile, though it feels more like a mask than a real expression.
“It’s fine,” I lie. It’s not fine. He knew we had plans. He was the one who made them in the first place. He easily could’ve worked around those plans. I can’t help but feel I’m no longer a top priority for him, and that’s concerning. “I know you’re busy.”
He tilts his head, studying me like he can see right through me. And just as I’m about to pull away, he steps closer, wrapping his arms around me. I feel the weight of him—solid, familiar, grounding—and for a moment, I let myself sink into it.
“Camille,” he murmurs, brushing his lips against my temple. “Thank you for everything you do for me ... for the kids. I’d be lost without you. Truly.”
His words soothe the sharp edges of my doubts. He kisses my forehead, lingering just long enough to make me believe he means it, like I’m the most important person in his world.
I close my eyes, inhaling the scent of his new cologne, letting his warmth settle deep in my bones. In this moment, with his arms around me and his breath brushing my skin, it’s easy to believe that everything is exactly as it seems. That he’s the same loving, loyal husband I married. That my doubts are just shadows—things without substance or merit.
When he pulls back, he presses one last kiss to my lips.
“I love you,” he whispers, the words low and certain.
“I love you, too,” I say, my voice barely audible.
Long before Will knew nothing about my antisocial personality disorder or the fact that I can’t feel love the way he can, I always said the words back. They might be hollow for me, but they’ve always meant something to him. I imagine they still do despite knowing what he now knows. Perhaps they’re more important than ever, especially since we established that love is a choice, an act of commitment, a decision. Not merely a feeling.
He gives me a half-cocked smile—one that always makes me feel like everything’s going to be okay—and picks up his bag again.
“Can’t wait to see you tonight,” he says, opening the door. “Miss you already.”
I stand, watching as he walks out into the morning light, his figure crisp and polished, every bit the handsome, capable man I’ve always known. He waves once before climbing into his Audi, and I wave back, the gesture automatic, like some robotic Stepford Wife with a pleasantexpression on my face that hides the maelstrom of thoughts swirling inside me.
As he pulls away, the doubt tries to creep in again, but I shove it down, telling myself it’s nothing.
It’s just a meeting with students.
Just a new cologne.
He’s just been in a good mood because we’re happier here.
He’s going above and beyond out of appreciation, not guilt.
None of it means he’s cheating.
