Where was everyone? Out on the street, she texted Thomas.
Where are you?
Home. Ring you in a bit?
Sure.
Little did he know that she’d knock on his door in a few minutes, fall into his arms, and kiss him like a woman in love. She’d repent of her wedding details’ hesitation and dive into the ideas she’d contemplated while soaking in a bubble bath.
At his building, a nervous shudder had Daffy pulling her leather jacket closer. Riding the elevator to his fifth floor, she pictured his corner view of the city and the port. A lovely place to start married life. They could let her apartment.
At his door, she rang the bell, resisting the urge to call out, “Thomas, it’s me.”
Hands in her coat pockets, she shivered again and danced around just a bit. After a few minutes, she knocked and rang the bell again.
He had said he was home, right? Daffy checked his text to be sure. Ringing the bell again, she was about to call through the heavy steel door when the door jerked open.
“What in blazes—” He stepped back, grabbing at his open shirt. “D-Daffy?”
“Surprise!” She sprang toward him, ready for his open arms. But instead, he drew the door half-closed and blocked her entrance.
“What are you doing here?”
“What does it look like?” His question was as good as a physical shove. “Surprising you.” What was wrong with him?
“Love, that’s fantastic, but…but I’m rather busy.” Behind the door, music blared, then faded. An interior door thudded closed.
“Busy with what? Thomas, who’s here?” Daffy pushed against the door but Thomas remained steady. Immovable.
“I said I’d call you later.”
“But I’m here now. Thomas, what’s going on?”
“Let her in, Tom.”
He glanced into the flat. “I don’t think—”
“Blinky?” Daffy ducked under his arm to find her friend in the living room, dressed in a very tight cocktail dress, her bouffant hair in a Marilyn Monroe mess.
Daffy buckled, reaching for the nearest chair. “Do I need to ask?”
The scene said it all. Tapered candles flickering from the dining table in the windowed corner. Soft music in the background. Blinky dressed to kill. Thomas staring at his feet while he buttoned his shirt.
“We didn’t mean to fall in love, Daff. Believe me.” Blinky’s typically high, fast voice was low and slow. Thomas walked around Daffy to stand beside Blink. “But—”
“You started spending a lot of time together.” Daffy closed her eyes as the light in the room dimmed, vanishing into a black hole that beckoned her. “I saw the pictures you posted.”
“It was nothing at first, I promise.” This from Thomas. “I didn’t know I could fall for someone so fast.”
Daffy clung to her handbag as if it could hold her steady, help her survive sinking through the airless room. “So, you’re in love?”
“We didn’t mean—”
“You’re in love?” Hearing it spoke left her weak. “W—what happened?”
“We went to Saldings on the Waterfront and had a blast, but it was all for you. Truly.” Blinky’s smile wavered.
“We started talking about wedding venues and texting, then we discovered we had a lot in common.”
