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HADLEY
I had to rush home from the gym. Andy and I have made it a point to have a date night each Friday night at eight p.m., and I’m cutting it so close to being able to get ready by the time he gets home.
My session with Kat went over what we planned, though if I’m honest, it usually does. We always get to talking and forgot that we’re supposed to be working out together. We have gotten so close since meeting at the gym after I decided to quit my job.
Andy and I wanted a child so badly that we decided that I should take on less stress, which led to me leaving my dream career as a teacher, at least for now. I will say it’s been less stressful with no asshole boss micromanaging my every breath, but I’m not the biggest fan of having to rely solely on Andy for everything.
“Hadley?” I hear him shouting from the foyer as I put the last touches on my makeup.
Taking one last glance in the mirror, I admire my form-fitting teal dress. It hugs my soft curves in all the right ways.My dark hair is in romantic curls and my makeup is applied perfectly, just enough to brighten my complexion with a golden smokey eye, which makes my baby blues pop. I smirk at myself before heading out to see my man.
“Coming, honey!” I shout and giggle to myself.
That’s what she said.
I walk down the stairs to find him leaning against the doorframe.
“Hi, handsome! How was your day?”
I admire him as I approach. His broad chest fills out his navy suit so deliciously.
“It was fine. Let’s go. We’re going to be late.”
Andy opens the door and motions for me to walk out to the car.
“I told you I had reservations at Providence,” he scolds as he closes his door, leaving me to rush to the passenger side.
“I know, honey. I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to be late.” I close the passenger door and buckle myself in as he stares at me. “We should still make it on time, though. The restaurant called to confirm our reservation today, and it’s for eight-fifteen. They said that there was an issue with their booking system and they couldn’t get us our usual time.”
I’m shocked when he turns his cheek just as I lean in to kiss him, and my stomach flips unpleasantly. It’s our tenth and fifth anniversary tonight: ten from when we first started dating, and five since we got married. Anxiety rushes into my chest as I feel a dread that makes my stomach drop. I know something is wrong; I just can’t put my finger on what.
He is way too quiet on the drive over to the restaurant. There is a tension in his jaw that just doesn’t make sense. His hands are gripping the steering wheel so tightly, his knuckles turn white. Usually, we chat about his day and how work has been. He has become so much more distant lately, ignoring calls or textsand canceling plans at the last minute. I thought work was just becoming overwhelming, but now I’m not sure what it could be.
We arrive at Providence, and the valet greets us upon exiting the car.
“Hi, Jim!” I smile at the thin older gentleman who has been here since our first date after we got married.
“Hi, sweet girl. How’s my favorite couple? It’s your anniversary tonight, isn’t it?”
Jim is always a staple in our Friday night dates, constantly checking in on us. He is simply the sweetest. His thinning hair has gone white in the years since we started dining there.
Andy walks off quietly, and I notice he is looking at his phone with a smile on his face that I haven’t seen in a while. Maybe I’m just overreacting.
“Aww, Jim! You remembered?” I wrap my arms around him in a quick hug. “We’re good. How are you? Did your daughter have your grandbaby yet?”
After a few moments of conversation catching up on the past week with Jim, we head inside at ten after eight. As usual, the maître d’ greets us with a friendly smile and walks us right to our table.
Once the wine has been served, I attempt to coax Andy into a conversation.
“How was your day? Did you get the contract you’ve been working on signed today?” I ask, offering a sweet smile.
“Yeah.” He glances at me with no emotion, meeting my gaze before he continues with the confidence of Shenzi just before Mufasa showed up to rescue Simba and Nala.
Then he says the five words every woman dreads.
“Listen, we need to talk.”
My heart starts pounding in my chest. This can’t be happening.
