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“I’ve always loved you. TheyouI ran away with. This guy”—she pointed at him—“I’m not sure I know him very well.”
“I guess I got a little too macho from the job.” He nodded. “Then, when you got the job at the law firm and were making the same money as me, I really felt intimidated. I guess I’ve been acting out. And not in a good way.”
She held her breath, and asked, “Would you consider us going to couples counseling?”
“Really?” He blinked several times but seemed genuinely interested.
“Really. And we can keep it to ourselves. No reason to broadcast it to any of our colleagues or friends. Not that I have many.”
“I kinda blame myself for that, too.” He truly looked forlorn. “I expected you to be the dutiful wife while I was being a half-assed husband. It’s as if I had you in a cage.”
“Something like that.” Tori was happy the conversation was going in an unexpected direction. “I met some nice people today at the workshop. I discovered I like creative and artsy people.”
“Wow. You deserve so much more than I’ve given you.”
“Listen, I can only blame myself for keeping my thoughts and wishes from you.”
“Honey, I really mean it. I want to have a life with you. A life where we both feel secure.”
“OK. Who are you?” Tori grinned. “What have you done with my husband?”
“He’s in here somewhere.” He pointed to his chest. “Can we start over? Please? I really don’t know what I’d do without you in my life.”
“I’m willing to try if you are.” She lifted his chin and looked him straight in the eye. “Besides, we are having a baby. The child will need a father figure in its life.”
His head jerked back. “We are what?”
“Yes, you heard me. I’m pregnant. Imagine. At my age.”
“You’re still young. A lot of women have babies at thirty-eight now.”
“So I’ve been told.” She pulled her chair closer. “This is a big deal.”
“You ain’t kidding.” He put his arms around her. “I am so sorry you’ve been unhappy. I promise I’ll do better, and we will keep our family together.”
Family. Tori thought about her abandoned family and was overjoyed she wouldn’t be abandoning another one.
He rested his head on her chest. Tori stroked his hair, and said, “We’ll both do better. I promise I will never keep any secrets from you ever again,” except for the psychic she was still planning on seeing. Tori wanted to get her take on it before she succumbed to a false sense of security. That had happened once. Not again.
* * *
The next morning, Luna woke up in the afterglow from the night before. She quickly replayed the night in her head. Had it really happened? Could it have been a dream? No, it was real. She pinched herself just to make sure. She and Gaines had made love for the first time. The passion they unleashed could have brought the power grid back to life, yet it was warm, sweet, and tender at the same time. They were enveloped in the sweet desire that had been kindling for a long time.
It started as slow dance building to a crescendo in a well-choreographed tango. It was the stuff movies were made of. She smiled, thinking about the scene in an old film with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. It wasTo Catch a Thief, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. In typical Hitchcock form, he left a lot to one’s imagination. As Cary Grant kissed Grace Kelly, the camera zoomed in on fireworks against the Parisian sky.
She rubbed her neck. Two people sleeping on the sofa was romantic, but not necessarily good for the posture. She stretched and looked around. She could smell the aroma of good coffee. She pulled on Gaines’s soft comfortable shirt and walked into the kitchen. He was wearing a T-shirt and jogging pants. “Good morning, sunshine,” he said over his shoulder.
“Good morning.” She resisted the temptation of rubbing her eyes. Sleeping with contact lenses is never a good idea. She blinked several times, urging her tear ducts to snap to it. “Coffee smells good.”
“Someone who owns a café encouraged me to buy one of these newfangled machines.” He nodded to the Ne-spresso coffeemaker.
“She must be a genius,” Luna cracked wise.
“I would have to agree.” He leaned over to give her a kiss, which she was more than happy to accept.
“How did you sleep?”
“I’m not sure if I did.” She stood behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her head on his back. “When did the power come back on?”
