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“Oh, Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the camel!” I shriek. “You scared the shit out of me! What are you doing here?”
His eyes meet mine like I’m speaking a foreign language.
“What are you talking about? I live here,” he replies, his annoyance palpable, like it should be obvious.
“Yes, well, you just haven’t been home in so long, I wasn’t sure you remembered where it was.” I roll my eyes at him. “So, how’s Naomi?”
I’m sincerely curious. I mean, after my date with Connor, I have no right to be upset anymore. Right?
“Don’t be dramatic,” he chastises. “I’ve been home at least one night a week when she’s working late.”
His long legs have him in front of me within only a couple of breaths. He presses a chaste kiss to my cheek, making my heart lurch in my chest. I know I shouldn’t compare, but him kissing me on the cheek feels so impersonal, whereas Connor’s kiss lit me up like a firecracker.
Is Andy just trying to pacify me? Why, though, when I’ve already agreed to the open marriage? Hell, he began seeing Naomi almost as soon as the words left my mouth.
“Ah, yes, the one night a week I see my husband.” I can’t help the annoyance in my voice. “Speaking of, since tonight is Friday, will I see you later so we can have date night?”
I don’t even attempt to hide my hopefulness.
“No.” He doesn’t even bother to give an excuse. “Didn’t you have adatelast night?” he snarks, saying the worddatelike it has air quotes around it.
Why is he acting this way?
“Uh, yes, I did. It was great, actually.”
I smile at the memory of Connor’s mouth against mine, his hand gripping my thigh over my hand. Damn, that was hot.
“Must not have been that great if you’re still asking me about Friday date night,” he responds coldly.
By this point, he has moved into our shared walk-in closet, adding more clothes to yet another suitcase.
“I’ve gotta go. I’ll be home one night next week. You can make us dinner. I’ll text you,” he says dismissively, tossing the last bit over his shoulder.
And then he’s gone. Again.
Suddenly, my phone pings with a notification, and my heart begins beating its way out of my chest. The small distraction is enough to shift my thoughts away from the pain I’m avoiding and thoughts of my marriage that I don’t want to process.
Connor:
Good morning, a mhuirnín. I hope you had a good rest.
Hadley:
Good morning, handsome. I slept pretty well. Had a bit of a rude awakening, but I’m gonna make it a great day.
Connor:
Oh, a thaisce, if there is anything I can do to help make it a great day, I shall. Just say the word.
Since we met last night, would you be open to exchanging numbers?
I smile to myself. I have never met anyone like him in my life.
Hadley:
That sounds good to me.
After a second message containing my cell number, I put my phone down to do a thorough deep cleaning of the kitchen. I pull on a pair of rubber gloves and fill a bucket with water and bleach. Before I dip the sponge in, I wonder how much bleach I’d need to use in order to trip up Lieutenant Kenda’s team at a crime scene.
