A faint feeling of unease started to creep in. This was Rowan we were talking about. He was the most capable person I knew. He didn't need someone else to manage how he spent his time. Certainly not when it came to his job. I didn't want to stir up any problems, though, and I could've been overthinking it. So I kept my mouth shut.
The conversation moved in fits and starts after that. I tried to keep it light and brought up a new exhibit I was working on in London. Rowan acted interested and asked a few questions, but every time I tried to draw Marcus in, he found a way to steer the topic elsewhere. His comments kept circling around how Rowan needed to "find a better work-life balance" or "not overdo it."
By the time the bill came, I was ready for the night to be done. But before I could even reach for it, Marcus snatched it up and slid his card into the folder without hesitation.
"I've got this," he said, his tone easy. "You two don't have to worry about a thing."
I tried to protest, but he waved me off with a smile. "Seriously, I insist. I'll settle up, and you guys can catch up a bit longer."
Rowan didn't argue. He just gave a small appreciative nod. I caught that familiar look of gratitude on his face, but it didn't sit right with me.
Marcus stood and flashed us both a quick grin. "I'll leave you two to it. Rowan, I'll wait in the car."
Rowan managed a more genuine smile. "Sure. Won't be long."
"Good seeing you again, Elias." Marcus gave my shoulder a pat as he passed me on his way to the front to pay the bill. The contact made me want to cringe.
As soon as he was out of sight, the tension in my chest loosened a bit. Now that it was just me and Rowan, I thoughtthe weird feeling might fade, but it didn't. If anything, the questions I'd been holding back all night started to press harder at the front of my mind.
"Hey, Rowan," I started, trying to keep my tone light. "Can I ask you something?"
He glanced at me with a hint of surprise. "Yeah, sure. What's up?"
I hesitated. I didn't want to make a fuss if I was just misreading things. But the way Marcus kept talking like Rowan needed managing, like he couldn't handle his own life without someone guiding him... It bothered me, and I couldn't figure out why it didn't seem to bother Rowan.
"Is everything good with you and Marcus?" I said finally, though I did my best to keep my words neutral. "I just... I noticed he kept stepping in. That doesn't feel off to you?"
He blinked in confusion. "What do you mean, 'stepping in'?"
I fumbled for the right words. "I don't know... Whenever you talked about something, he kind of cut in and redirected everything. Like when you mentioned that project for the start of the school year. It sounded like he was undermining everything you said."
Rowan frowned, but it didn't really look like anger. "He's just trying to help. You know how I can get so caught up in work that I forget to take breaks. He just wants to make sure I don't burn myself out."
I did my best to keep the frustration out of my voice. "I get that. But it kind of feels like he's making decisions for you."
The usual warmth in his expression faded as something more guarded set in. "He's not making decisions for me. He's looking out for me."
"I'm not saying he's doing it on purpose. But I've known you since we were kids, Ro. You've always been able to handle things on your own. But Marcus is always –"
"Always what?" His voice cut in sharper than I remembered ever hearing it before. "Taking care of me? That's what a partner does, Eli. He's not controlling me."
What? I never used the word "controlling," yet Rowan went straight on the defensive. I realised then that pushing this any further would only make it worse.
"I'm just worried about you," I said quietly. "That's all."
His expression softened, but his tone stayed firm. "You don't need to be. I know what I'm doing."
I fought against the urge to argue. The knot in my chest wouldn't ease, but the look on Rowan's face made it clear that this conversation was over.
"Okay. If you're happy, that's what matters."
Though he gave a small nod, the tension didn't really lift. I'd just hit a wall, and I didn't know how to get past it. He didn't intend to hear me out, so I wasn't going to push anymore tonight.
* * *
Back in my hotel room, the quiet felt suffocating. The clock on the nightstand blinked 12:37 am, and I was still wide awake staring at the ceiling.
I'd gone to dinner expecting an easy evening. Instead, I left feeling unsettled, frustrated, and more confused than I'd been in a long time. Rowan and I were supposed to laugh, talk about everything and nothing like we always did. But it didn't happen that way this time. And Marcus was right at the centre of it.
