“To what?” he asked, still calm, still aiming for a reasonable tone. “Unwind from being alone all weekend?”
“I didn’t mean—”
“I just figured you’d want to spend time together,” he said. “After I’ve been gone.”
I swallowed. “I do. I just — this would be later. Like the next weekend. And I don’t really know anyone here yet.”
He sighed, rubbing his jaw. “I’m not saying you can’t go, Ari. I just don’t love the timing.”
Of course he didn’t.
“Well, let’s see how we feel. Maybe I’ll only go if you’re busy with work that night. Otherwise, I’ll stay home with you,” I said because it felt safer than pushing back.
“That’s a great compromise,” he replied, the tension easing immediately. And then the moment passed, just like that, leaving me wondering if I’d imagined the manipulation of it all.
After about a half hour of watching a show together, Nathan stood and stretched. “I need to take a call. Work stuff. Should probably pack a little, too.”
“Need help?”
“I got it. You relax.”
He kissed my head and disappeared down the hall.
His office door clicked shut behind him.
After our conversation, I felt too uneasy to sit still and watch TV any longer. I turned it off, tidying up the kitchen before I padded down the hallway with the intent to wash my face, do a little light stretching, climb into bed, and read.
I hadn’t meant to listen as I passed his office.
But his voice carried, and it was low and threatening
“I don’t care what the odds say,” he snapped. “That’s not what we discussed.”
He paused, and so did my feet. I stood just outside his office with my heart pounding in my ears.
“No — because that makes it obvious.”
I frowned, carefully inching a little closer.
“I told you I’d take care of it. You’re not supposed to move anything without clearing it with me.”
What is he talking about?
“Jesus. Do you have any idea what that looks like?” There was a beat of silence and then — “Just—fix it. And don’t call me about this again.”
Immediately, I continued down the hall, walking as fast as I could while not making a sound. I ducked into our bedroom just as I heard his office door open.
Nathan stepped into our en suite bathroom behind me a few minutes later with his expression smoothed and polished.
“I think I’ll pack tomorrow,” he said on a tired sigh, already reaching for his toothbrush. “It’s been a rough day, and I work with a bunch of idiots.”
I nodded, my pulse loud in my ears. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah.” He smiled. “Just people panicking about money they don’t understand.”
Something about the way he said it made my stomach twist.
Later, Nathan climbed into bed when I was reading, planting a tender kiss on my cheek before he rolled over and turned out the light.
