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“You already are strong. I’ve told you before you’re the strongest woman I know,” he reassures me.
Pretty lies, all of the words he says. Delivered with a smooth tone and a kind smile. He knows how to sweet talk people. He does it for a living. Fairly certain that’s what he’s doing to me right now.
“I should take a shower.”
“Didn’t you just take one last night?” His brows lower.
“I feel gross.” I shrug one shoulder.
“You hungry? Want to eat something?” He’s as bad as Jasper, always trying to feed me. I’m surprised they haven’t taught Doja how to bring a bag of crackers to me yet.
“No.” I shake my head, offering him a weak smile. “I’ll take a shower first. Then I’ll try and eat.”
He tightens his grip on me when I try to make my escape. “You’re worrying me, Charlotte. You never eat.”
“I’m not very hungry,” I admit, my voice small.
“You’ve lost weight. You look thinner,” he says.
Perry doesn’t mean this as a compliment either. His voice is laced with concern.
“I haven’t had much of an appetite lately,” I admit.
He presses his lips together, and I can tell he wants to say something, but decides against it. Is he disappointed in me? Does he regret marrying me? With my behavior lately, I wouldn’t be surprised. “Take your shower. I have a call in five, but it’s a short one. Then we can eat together.”
Code for him watching me while I eat to make sure I consume something. “Sure. Okay.”
I withdraw from him but he grabs my hand, pulling me back in for a gentle kiss. I may be depressed, but the sex between us is still good, if not a little excessive. Not that I’m complaining but wow, we do it a lot. I didn’t know it could feel like this with someone. So all-consuming and leaving me feeling needy and restless.
“I hate seeing you sad,” he whispers against my lips before he kisses me again. “Did you ever look into seeing a therapist?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know if I’m ready to tell anyone else what happened to me yet.”
He says nothing to that, changing the subject. “Maybe we should go out of town this weekend. Just the two of us.”
I rest my hand on his chest, dragging my index finger down, along the buttons of his shirt. “Isn’t it Thanksgiving Thursday?”
“Oh wait. You’re right. My mother has called me multiple times, trying to get me to confirm we’ll be there for the holiday.”
“Why haven’t you told her yes? Not like my parents want me over.” Last I heard, they’re spending the holiday in St. Barts, according to Finn.
“Charlotte…” His voice drifts and I slowly withdraw from his hold, walking backward toward the bathroom.
“What? It’s true. Go take your call. You’re going to be late.” I smile brightly at him before I shut myself away in the bathroom, leaning heavily against the door and closing my eyes, taking a deep breath.
I can’t wallow in my misery any longer. Things need to return to normal. Perry should be back in the office. I should figure out my next step with my life. Go to college maybe?
I’m not sure, but I do know one thing.
I hate myself for acting so weak. I need to be stronger for Perry.
For myself.
Chapter Twelve
Perry
The Monday afterThanksgiving and I’m back in the office. In person.
