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“Was the argument bad?” she asked, twisting a finger in her hair.
“It wasn’t pleasant, and we are still not speaking. But I don’t think that I should be divulging that information. As you know, the dealings of a husband and wife are private, or so I’ve been told.”
“It is so strange hearing you two are husband and wife.”
Brian remembered his initial question for her. “Why are you here again, Marianne? I don’t mean to be rude. But it isn’t like you to just stop by and talk.”
“You, not rude?” She moved closer while wearing a smirk. “Now you’re really being silly.”
Brian gave her a measured look. She was acting like the way most women would act towards him at parties. And for a moment, he didn’t entirely hate it, but that had to be the alcohol in him for sure. He had never really found Marianne attractive. And that was beside the point, he was a married man.
“So, what was the argument about?” Marianne asked, and Brian could tell how authentic her sincerity was.
“I’d rather not venture into it.”
She pursed her lips but in a playful way. “Why do I have the feeling that maybe Harper doesn’t understand you all that much?”
“Because she doesn’t,” he let slip out. He couldn’t help but think about what happened with his mother, something that he never wanted to have to explain to Harper. That was a place he did not want to go.
“That is such a shame. Married people should be able to understand each other. I would always understand you, Brian. I think over the years, I’ve gotten to know you really well. I know what gets under your skin and I know what makes you happy.”
Brian became all the more sceptical of her in that moment. Not acting like herself was a grave understatement. “Is that so?” He couldn’t think of anything more to say. He felt rather put on edge by the entire interaction. Never before had an interaction with a woman stripped him of feeling drunk. But he figured there was a first for everything.
It was then that she leaned in close to him. He had been in the situation plenty of times before to know the signals. She was going in to kiss him. It was a thump outside of the room that helped him to come to his senses fully and push her away to reject the kiss. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? I am a married man…married to your best friend, after all. And you attempt to kiss me?” There was a hint of confusion in him, but it was quickly overthrown by the feeling of anger.
“I-I…” No real words came from her.
“Get out, Marianne. Now.”
He watched Marianne leave with an embarrassed look on her face. When the door shut, he shook his head out of frustration. Could the day get any worse or strange?
