Page 62 of No Darker Temptation

I give a light shrug. “Not much. Being Suzy Homemaker is hard work.”

She chuckles. “I can imagine. But at least the renovation is a big job. And you’ve been traveling a lot too.”

“Yeah, we have. Alejandro wanted to go to Ibiza for my birthday, but I wasn’t in the mood.”

She makes a dramatic gesture with her hands and fans herself. “God, you poor thing! Ibiza? He’s such a monster.”

I give her a playful kick under the table. “Don’t be an asshole. You know what I mean.”

Karina smiles and sunlight reflects in her eyes. She’s nothing short of dazzling in the midsummer haze, her skin beautifully tan, hair the longest I’ve ever seen it. Once the initial shock of seeing her faded I was confounded by how much she let her hair grow out; it’s halfway past her shoulders now. She’s always hated long hair.

“And you’re happy?”

My mouth opens but I don’t answer her right away. Guilt settles in the pit of my stomach because the words Yes, I am should’ve enthusiastically burst out of me the moment she asked. Instead, I linger in my thoughts a moment before settling on a response that feels the most honest. “It’s been an adjustment, but he’s made it worth it.”

“I can imagine. You look very in love,” she sing songs. Reaching across the table for my hands, I grasp her fingers with mine and hold on. “It’s absolutely disgusting. Look at you, there are hearts in your eyes.”

Cheeks burning with a blush, I say, “Better that than miserable, don’t you think?”

“I guess.” Her nose crinkles before she smiles again. “He is soooo in love with you, Prima. So in love. I almost had to block his number from my phone this past week. He kept calling to make sure I was coming.”

“I’m surprised Brent didn’t tag along,” I say teasingly but I’m not prepared for her to yank her hands away so abruptly.

“Are you crazy? I need a break from him.” She huffs impatiently. “He was always the clingy type but marriage has made him insufferable. I love him to death but Jesus Christ. I need to breathe.”

My brows draw together. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine. We just…we’re having a moment right now. I don’t want to talk about it,” she insists. “It’s you’re birthday and I’m here for you.”

“We haven’t seen each other in seven months. I want to talk about you too and if you need to vent, that’s what I’m here for.”

Karina hesitates, seemingly unsure of whether or not she wants to unburden herself. Eventually, whatever is weighing on her wins out in the end because she sings like a canary.

“The truth is, Brent was supposed to come but we got into a big argument before I left. After our visit with you, he wanted to extend our trip and go somewhere else for a week or two. He thought it’d be a great opportunity to start trying for a baby.”

Confused, I say, “You argued over extending your vacation?”

“We argued over having a baby, Dee.”

DESPERATE HOUSEWIFE

Dahlia

I’d have been less shocked if the sun fell out of the sky.

“But…I don’t understand. Wasn’t that the whole point of getting married?” I say. “Staying in Jersey, buying a house? You guys were ready to start a family.”

For as long as I can remember, Karina has always dreamed of being a mother. It’s why she falls so naturally into the role of nurturer and caretaker in our family and amongst her friends. I longed for a family because I lacked a sense of foundation, belonging, and unity. Karina’s familial aspirations come from a place of love and wistfulness, the dream of having the picket fence and happily ever after. Part of what attracted Karina to Brent in the first place was because he had such strong family values and however I may feel about him, he believes in that as much as she does.

And now Karina doesn’t want it anymore? I hardly believe this conversation is happening.

“Am I not allowed to change my mind?” she replies, sharper than I expected her to.

“No one’s saying you can’t change your mind. Karina, I’m shocked.” I sit up in my chair and push aside the plates and cups between us. “Since last year you’ve been saying you wanted to get pregnant soon as possible after the wedding. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I understand why he might be confused⁠—”

“I just don’t want to have children with Brent anymore, all right?” She tosses her napkin onto the table, suddenly red in the face. “Let’s drop it. I’m still upset with him and I don’t want this to ruin my trip or your birthday.”

“Okay.”