Page 23 of Keeping Skylar
“Great, dinner starts at six.”
“Looking forward to it.” She fake grins, then rolls her eyes, thinking I don’t notice.
Oh, my dear friend. I notice everything!
I pull my Kindle from my bag and continue reading while finishing the rest of my lunch. The whole time, I can feel Lucia’s piercing gaze shooting arrows at me. She must have lost her appetite, seeing as her food remains untouched on the coffee table.
Inviting my husband’s mistress over for dinner might be the worst idea ever, but honestly...my care factor is practically non-existent at this point. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what tonight brings.
Day one of school is done and dusted. Before heading home, I decide to catch up on the emails I missed while sitting in my car. As soon as I switch on my phone, the screen lights up with three missed calls and five new texts from Kaden. Strange. He hasn’t reached out to me this much in months. I quickly open the messages to see what he wants now.
Kaden:Good morning, my beautiful wife. I hope you have a great first day back at school. I love you xo.
Message sent straight after I left for work this morning.Sigh!I read his next lot of texts.
Kaden:I know you’re working at the moment, but I just wanted to tell you that I miss you and have been thinking about you all day.
I roll my eyes so hard; I swear I can almost see the back of my head. Next.
Kaden:I had fun on our date Saturday night. You looked breathtaking; it was hard to peel my eyes off you. I should take you out more often : )
Kaden:And also, I’ve been thinking, I’d like us to plan a weekend away. Just you and me, somewhere coastal. Making love all day with the sound of the ocean just outside our window like old times. How does that sound?
Sounds like my worst fucking nightmare. I’d rather drown in the ocean. NEXT!
Kaden:I can’t wait to see you tonight, baby. I’ll be home before 6pm, just in time for dinner. I love you. Forever and always xo.
What fresh hell have I woken up to this morning? Is he possessed right now? Why is he acting so fucking weird ... and clingy?
I stare out my windshield, stunned and speechless. I’ve been doing everything I can to avoid being alone with Kaden, so the thought of spending an entire weekend with him fills me with double the anxiety and nausea. I don’t know why I keep being punished like this. It’s as if the universe itself has it out for me and is determined to make me suffer.
I lean my head back against the headrest and close my eyes.
It’s going to be alright, Sky. You’re going to be alright,I remind myself. I’ll just have to tell Kaden I can’t go away anytime soon because I’ll be swamped with school preparations. But damn it! He’ll know something’s off—he knows I never turn down a trip with him.
Taking a few deep breaths, I decide to call Kirstin instead. She always knows exactly what to say to calm me. Just as I’m about to tap the call button, an email from the real estate agency pops up.
Oh my God!
My heart races, and my finger trembles over the notification icon. I tap it, and the email opens on my screen in an instant.
From: [email protected]
Date: 10 October, 2022 at 3:20 pm.
Subject: Application Approved.
Dear Skylar Grant,
Congratulations! Your application has been approved by the landlord for 17/21 Harper Avenue, Brightly Bay. Please click on the attachment to view your rental agreement.
To secure the apartment, you are required to pay a deposit of $400 (1 week’s rent) before 5:00 pm tomorrow evening. You will also be required to pay a bond of $1600 (4 weeks rent) directly to the Victorian Bond Authority (VBA) before signing your lease. A link with instructions on how to pay the bond to the VBA is stated on the agreement. The agency will be notified once the payment has been successful.
You will find all relevant details regarding your 12-month lease, including the weekly direct debit payment details, enclosed on the agreement. Your lease will commence on October 24th, upon signing the contract.
On behalf of Diamond Real Estate, Melbourne, thank you for choosing our services and we look forward to meeting you.
