Page 10 of Lessons In Love
He’s home earlier than usual. It’s Friday, and normally after he gets home from work, we’d go out to some restaurant he wants to try, or end up at a get-together with the partners and their families. It’s the one night a week he reserves to let himself relax before he’s back in work mode for the rest of the weekend.
“You’re home early,” I say, giving him a small smile as I pick up my wine glass and take it to the kitchen. I pass him, stopping to give him a peck on the cheek. He still hasn’t moved and his continued staring is unnerving, making me feel like a wayward child about to receive a lecture.
“Clearly.” He strides toward his office, stowing his briefcase as usual, before pulling the door firmly shut. “I ordered Thai. It’ll be here in forty-five minutes.”
I nod.
“I was going to have a drink with Jonas after work, but since we’ll be gone tomorrow evening for your…reunion… I’ll be in my office, preparing for a trial since I won’t have time to do so after we get home.”
“Oh—okay,” I say, not realizing he’d been so displeased about my upcoming reunion. “You don’t have to come with me… if you don’t have time,” I hedge, hoping he’s willing to make a small sacrifice for me.
“No. It’s fine, Delaney,” he sighs, rubbing the bridge of his patrician nose and closing his eyes. “I said I’d go and I will. I just have a lot of work to do tonight.”
“I’ll bring dinner to your office when it arrives,” I offer, hoping to mollify him and keep the tentative peace we’re living in right now.
“Thank you.” His terse response floats through the air as he turns on his heel, stalking to his office, theclickof the door an ironic symbolism for the emotional divide between us.
I gather the cleaning supplies from under the kitchen sink, diligently scrubbing every gleaming surface, just to have something to keep my hands and mind occupied until dinner arrives. I get lost in the motions, startled by the sharp knock on the front door sometime later.
Opening the door, I smile as the girl hands me a receipt to sign before handing over the large bag of fragrant food. “Thank you,” she calls, turning to head back downstairs. I hope the tip I gave her makes her night and, secretly, I hope it makes Myles wince.
“Come in,” he calls tersely when I knock on his office door, holding the steaming plate in front of me in one hand, a frosty mug with his favorite beer in the other.
“Can you open the door, please, Myles? My hands are full,” I say, listening for the sounds of movement on the other side. Finally, he grunts and I hear the creak of his desk chair as he stands and walks to open the door for me.
“Dinner is served,” I say with a wide smile, pushing past him to place the dishes on his crowded, but fastidiously tidy, desk. “Enjoy.”
I turn to leave and he pulls me into his arms, kissing me gently. “Thank you,” he says, releasing me. “Please close the door on your way out.” And just like that, I’m dismissed.At least he said thank you, I guess.
I sit on the couch, turning on trashy reality TV that Myles would certainly admonish me for, and pick at my food, my appetite gone. Setting my plate on the coffee table, I pick up my phone, startling when it dings in my hand. Resting a hand over my racing heart, I laugh at my jumpy reaction and unlock it with my thumb.
Aria:Hey, you okay? You kinda disappeared on me there.
Delaney:Yeah, sorry. M came home early.
Aria:Gotcha. Just checking. Love you.
Delaney:Love you, too. See you tomorrow?
I wait for a response, hoping Aria has decided to come to the reunion. She and Myles aren’t close, but she can act as a buffer for me when he gets snippy, ready to head home.
Aria:About that…
Delaney:Nooooo.
It’s a bit melodramatic, I know, but I need my best friend there when I’m confronted by this blast from the past.
Aria:I can’t, Dells. I just don’t have the time. I got tagged for a thesis committee and with the classes I’m teaching, I just can’t.
Aria:Plus you know I didn’t like anyone but you in high school. And I can see your beautiful face whenever I want. So why put myself through that torture?
Aria:I know my acting skills… they aren’t up to snuff for that.
Aria:I can see it now…drinking cheap wine, pasting a smile on my face, pretending that the ugliest children I’ve ever seen resemble children, not barnyard animals. *shudder* No thanks!
Aria:But I know you’ll have fun! *kiss*
I can’t help the snort of laughter that escapes me as I read her ridiculously dramatic musings—she’s always been able to cheer me up quickly.
