“Not the best end to a great evening, is it?” I said sadly.
“Not exactly.” Rowan got back to his feet and shrugged a zip up jacket on. “I’ve got to admit this has unnerved me a little.”
“Me too,” I replied. That same strange hollow feeling crept into my chest as I envisioned what could happen to our relationship if things went the way we didn’t want them to. Would Rowan stick by me, even if the shit hit the fan?
“God, you’ve got that fucking look on your face again. I can’t stand it.”
I looked up, just in time to see Rowan reach for me. I allowed him to tug me to my feet and he wrapped his arms around me. I buried my face in his neck.
“I’ve got to go,” he eventually said, pulling away just far enough to kiss me.
“Sorry it’s been a bit of a downer.”
“Not at all.” Rowan paused and grinned. “Not sure I’ll ever be able to put a tie on for work again without thinking about tonight.”
Despite my turbulent emotions I chuckled and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “Want me to walk you out?”
“Sure.”
I peeped out of my door, relieved to see the lounge was dark and empty once more. I waved Rowan through, and he crept out behind me. Once at the door, he turned and took my chin in his hand. He kissed me, sliding his tongue against mine.
“Message me when you’re home,” I whispered.
“Will do. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
I clicked the door shut behind him and leant against it until the back of my head hit the wood. What a disaster. I hoped what Rowan said was true, and he’d come clean with his wife sooner rather than later. I wasn’t sure how much more of this stress I could take.
As I returned to my room, I caught sight of Rowan’s work tie, still fastened to my headboard and despite everything, a grin broke out across my face.
Alright, so maybe the stresswasworth it. For now, at least.
Chapter Twelve
It was the weekend, but I felt unusually down. I woke early (as I always did on the weekend, damn body clock) and lay in bed, listening to the rain tapping against my window.
Rowan was busy this weekend, and it just so happened to be Valentine’s Day on Sunday. He was responsible for Teegan whilst Christina was out of town, visiting friends. If he hadn’t told me as much, Teegan would have.
She was still messaging me most days. It was usually about music, but I’d noticed as we got friendlier, she had begun to slip in the odd personal message. I was equally worried and curious to hear about Rowan’s life from a third party on the inside. I tried my best not to pry, but occasionally it was hard not to.
I sighed. I hated heading into a weekend with no plans – especially one that held a special significance. I wasn’t particularly fussed on Valentine’s as far as holidays went, but the secretive relationship Rowan and I had just seemed all the more hopeless when I couldn’t even expect a quick hug and a kiss. Of course, I knew Rowan would make it up to me – he’d already promised me that much – but I’d have preferred to have seen him on the day.
As much as I was glad of the rest the weekend brought, I’d have rather been at work. At least I’d be able to see Rowan there. I sighed irritably and got up, dressing quickly and heading out to the kitchen for a cup of tea. I did a double-take as I entered the lounge and saw Oliver already up, washed and dressed. Before noon on a weekend?
“Oh, morning,” I said. “You’re up early.”
“Yeah, I’m being draggedshoppingwith Becca.” He wrinkled his nose with disgust.
I laughed. “Thank fuck, she’s finally found someone else to inflict her shopping hobby on.”
“Yeah, well, it’s her Valentine’s treat, I guess.”
I looked Oliver up and down. He looked good and he’d even shaved. I grinned. “So, it’s going well with Becca then?”
“Yeah, she’s cool,” he replied. I got the sense he was deliberately keeping it vague, which was, again, unusual. Oliver usually liked to go into explicit detail of his dates, if not for any reason other than to gross me out.
“She is.” I agreed. “I’m glad. You make a nice couple.” I began digging a spoonful of sugar out of the pot.
