Page 17 of Knot So Social

“Just me?” she demands. “I thought our friendships were important to both of us. Guess I’m the only one who cares.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

I didn’t know we were going out, or where but I swallow the words, because it’ll just start another fight. Looks like today’s going to be the far side of her pendulum swing. We’ll be lucky if the night doesn’t end with her getting angry at me.

Well, we all have problems, right? I just need to be patient, and soon enough we’ll be back to the way we were before. When she was so sweet and appreciated every single thing I did.

My phone vibrates as I set it on the vanity counter. I pick it up, but it’s Jeremy, so I leave it and get in the shower. Now's not the time for anything that might hold me up.

The steaming water irons some of the kinks out of my muscles as I lather up and wash my hair thoroughly to get the plaster dust out. We’re working on a renovation job, which is always harder than a new build.

Tracey hammers on the door. “Any day now!”

I flip the tap off and jump out, grabbing a towel off the heated rack.

A dog yips outside, a shadow brushing past the bedroom window.

“Did you take Jock for a walk?” I call.

“No, I haven’t had time,” Tracy calls back. “Am I supposed to do everything around here? Maybe you should come home earlier on Thursdays; you know it’s a hectic day for me.”

Did she find out I stopped by the youth center? Surely not. I shake my head and dry off in a hurry. I’ll have to try and take the dog for a walk when we get back, even if it’s dark. Boxers are an energetic breed, and even though our yard is a decent size, it’s not fair for him to be stuck in there all day. Not that it was my idea to get a dog.

But I did insist on getting a rescue rather than the expensive pedigree dog she was eyeing. With his goofy face and undocked tail, Jock always makes me laugh.

Tracey’s laid an outfit out on the bed: tan slacks, a snakeskin belt and a pale blue shirt with embroidery patterns on it. The ones that itch on the inside. I add a tank top, even though it’s warm out, with a summer rainstorm fading away. Then I don the waiting ten-gallon hat, even though that’s more Jeremy’s style than mine.

Tracey says she likes them. Feels like she’s dating a cowboy, apparently.

She waits in the car, her heel tapping with annoyance. She doesn’t say anything when I get in, only angles her body away from me. Like a grumpy cat.

I brush my fingers over her bare arm. “Sorry, babe. I went as fast as I could. Thanks for picking my outfit.”

She holds herself stiffly for another second, before softening and smiling. There, that’s the beta I proposed to. When she nods, I throw the car into reverse.

“Where’s our place of adventure, my love?”

She rolls her eyes but her lips curve up. I want to kiss that pretty pout off her face. “Donny Rose.”

My stomach sinks. Yep. Had to be the most expensive place in East Dallas. Not that we’re poor, exactly, but I’ll have to pay for our friends’ meals for the sake of appearances and things are tight lately.

I’ve been trying to quietly put more money in the mortgage to ease Tracey’s stress about taking on a big loan, but it’s not a simple matter. Ever since I took on the contract for a massive warehouse complex for next quarter and had to outlay half a million bucks to order the miles of electrical cabling.

Well, they say women are a man’s most expensive outlay. Big packs wanted Tracey, but she chose me.

“What are you grinning about?” she asks, applying her lipstick using the visor mirror.

“How beautiful you are,” I answer honestly.

“Uh huh. That’s unlikely.”

“It’s true,” I protest, tossing her my most charming style.

Tracey rolls her eyes, but she seems happy.

I pull into the parking lot for the restaurant, a jazzy kind of place that makes customers wait in the lounge before they can be seated. From the moment I switch off the engine, I need to perform. Need to become the world’s most considerate fiancé. That will keep her happy.

Of course, I want to be that kind of man for her anyway, but Tracey’s sensitive about being treated right in public. Who can blame her when ex apparently used to call her terrible things in front of her friends?