Page 57 of The Temptation of Truth
“Maybe he just needs to feel safe,” I say, my voice low.
Her shoulder moves with a sigh, then I feel her eyes on me.
“We’ll get there.”
I don’t ask if she means only the flower, or if she somehow means herself as well.
13
AURORA
I pacethe floor of the bathroom, gnawing on my fingernails as Brady chatters on the other end of the phone.
As the clock in my head ticks down loudly from five minutes to zero.
My husband’s voice is particularly upbeat. He’s just returned to our house from playing a round of golf and having lunch with some of the higher-ups at work. He thinks this means he’s closer to a promotion, and it very well might, but I’m too preoccupied to be excited for him. It’s hard to be excited about anything when you’ve been woken up at 6 a.m. and urged to take a pregnancy test. Thanks to the travel, I’ve beenforgettingto take one. Or at least, that’s been my excuse.
“I think I really impressed them, Auri. They even talked about some big investors. This is, like, top inside info, and they shared it with me. I’m sure it helped that I played one of the best games of my life.”
“Wow, B.” I keep my voice low and dart my eyes to the door as if I can see Mabel asleep under her duvet. “That’s great.”
“You don’t sound excited.”
“I am. I just haven’t fully woken up yet.”
“This could be my big break. You could at least pretend to be stoked.”
I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s the jet lag.”
“It’s been over two weeks. You should be adjusted by now.”
I huff a dry laugh. “Probably.”
“Are you, like, okay? You sound moody as hell.”
“I’m sorry.”
My shoulders droop. He’s right. I’m being rude. He doesn’t deserve this. I open my mouth to apologize again, but I hear a timer sound on his end. The test.
“Time’s up. What’s it say?”
I stare hard at the door and work to control my breathing as his two words echo in my head.Time’s up.His voice is eager, but it rings ominous in my ears.
Time’s up.
Time’s up.
Time’s up.
Twice, I try to force myself to look at the bathroom counter. Twice, I fail.
“Aurora. Hello? What’s it say?”
I clamp my eyes shut and shake my head, my hand tightening around the phone clutched to my ear.
“It says...” I turn slowly, eyes still closed toward the bathroom counter.Time’s up.“Um...”
He sighs, loud and annoyed, and I flinch.
