"All right. I'll give you a few minutes to get settled."
I close the door behind me.
Stand in the hallway.
Breathe.
I don't know why my heart is racing.
Don't know why my hands are trembling slightly.
He's just a client.
Just a normal client with tension in his shoulders.
Nothing to worry about.
I check my phone.
A text from Gunnar:
How's your day going, future wife?
I smile despite my nerves, type back:
Almost done. One more client then heading home. Love you.
His response is immediate:
Love you too. Text me when you leave.
I smirk at my phone and type back:
Always do.
I pocket my phone, take another breath.
Five minutes.
Then I'll knock, do the massage, and be done.
Home to Gunnar.
Home to our apartment.
Home to our life.
Everything is fine.
At four minutes, I return to the room.
Knock softly on the door.
"William? Are you ready?"
No answer.
I knock again.
