“Oh okay, hun. You’re leaving already?” she asks in response.
“Yep,” I reply, as I give Joseph a displeased look. “I’ve evidently got some thinking to do.”
6
ELIZABETH
I’ve been sitting at my desk for most of the day working on my presentation for Cabot University when I realize that in the last three hours, I’ve only created one additional PowerPoint slide and have about fifteen more to go. My contact lenses have practically dried out from staring at the computer screen for so long. I decide the best course of action at this point is to take a much-needed break, especially after my stomach growls.
When was the last time I ate something?
I’m completely unfocused.
All I can think about is how tough things have been between me and Roman lately and sometimes I wonder if perhaps we both moved too fast too soon. Our chemistry burned hot and fast, our courtship was a whirlwind, and our engagement came soon after a lot of drama in our lives. Should we have slowed down and dated longer? If we did, would we even still be together? Would we have Knox?
There are reasons why some women tell you to wait to have children. Now I understand why. Roman and I weren’t together long enough or alone as a couple long enough. There was still more of “us” that we had yet to explore before we became this family of three.
I’m unsure if he feels smothered or stuck with me, but what I do know is that he’s been coming home late the last few nights and I don’t know where he’s been or who he’s been with. A part of me knows that he would never cheat on me, but a part of me wonders what he is seeking elsewhere that he cannot seem to find at home with me and Knox.
My cell phone vibrates on the kitchen counter while I’m seasoning the pieces of salmon I bought from the market. It’s Sloan. She doesn’t even say hello, she just starts talking, and as usual it’s about herself.
“Girl, I just got off of the phone with that guy I met at Zoe’s and would you believe he gave me some totally made up excuse to back out of our date?”
“I thought you two had a vibe going at the party?”
“I thought so too. Now, suddenly, he isn’t interested. Girl, maybe he’s married.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
“It’s so weird though. He’s like the third guy that’s flaked out on me. It’s like they are all over me when we first meet and then something changes. Tell me the truth, Bitsy. Do I have bad breath? You know people never tell someone when they do. They just talk about them behind their backs.”
“You don’t have bad breath, Sloan,” I assure her.
“You sound distracted. What are you doing right now?”
“Believe it or not, I’m cooking dinner.”
“Cooking?” She chuckles lightly through the phone. “You hate cooking though.”
“I don’t hate it. I just don’t do it very well.”
“So what’s on the menu?”
“Salmon with caper sauce, asparagus, and roasted potatoes.”
“Aww, shoot, not only are you cooking but you’re getting fancy with it!”
“It’s a Food Network recipe.”
“They’ve got mail order services for that, you know? They send you the meal practically made and suddenly everyone thinks you’re a gourmet cook.”
“You’ve ordered those types of kits before?”
“Hell, no. Any man I’m dating knows good and well that I expect to be treated out for dinner at least three times a week.”
“You’re so spoiled.” I laugh. “Maybe that’s why men keep flaking out on you.”
“I’m spoiled? Everyone knows that the dark knight spoils you rotten. So what gives? Why the elaborate dinner suddenly? I thought you’d be working on that PowerPoint of yours.”
