AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I was expecting a mostly practical relationship from the two of them and was honestly intrigued to see what such a union might look like. It’s not what I expect.
As our dinner progresses, I’m more and more convinced that Amber is in love with him, and the only time I see any sort of softness in William’s eyes is when he’s looking at her.
Maybe Arthur was wrong in his cynical assumption that it’s not a love match.
Or maybe they started as practical but fell in love along the way.
I’m thrilled with that idea and hard-pressed not to interrogate them about the ins and outs of their relationship. Instead, we talk about business, about travel, about wine, about books, and about jewelry. I have a good time, and I like Amber a lot.
But I still really want to know what’s going on between her and William.
After we have dessert, I excuse myself for the restroom and ask if Amber wants to join me. She does.
Before I can start with my questioning, she gives me a little smile. “So you and Arthur...”
I blink, pushing open the restroom door. “What about us?”
“Tell me about you. How did you get together? I want to know everything!”
I can’t help but giggle since she’s clearly been in the same state of curiosity as me. She just beat me to the questioning.
“We’re not that exciting.”
“What? I can’t believe that. He’s way older than you for one thing, but I can clearly see it’s not a superficial trophy-wife kind of thing. That man is crazy in love with you. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
I gulp and blush, taking the opportunity to close the stall door to hide my expression. “Uh, yeah, we’re really in love.”
“So how did you even meet him?”
“He... Well, to tell you the truth, he was a friend of my dad’s.”
She’s clearly thrilled with this piece of information if her response in the other stall is any indication.
“But it wasn’t creepy. There isn’t a power imbalance or anything. We need each other equally.”
“So how did it happen?”
I give her a brief rundown of my history with Arthur, concluding as we’re washing our hands.
“But you’re not engaged yet?” she asks, carefully pulling a paper towel from the holder.
I shake my head. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens soon, but he hasn’t asked me yet. We had a lot of stuff to work out, but things are going great now. I got a job at a university library, and he’s going to start graduate school in philosophy in the fall. It’s like we’ve both had a brand-new start.”
“That sounds amazing. I’m glad you’ve worked things out. Relationships can be complicated.” She’s been looking me in the eye, actively listening, but now her gaze slips to the side like she’s been hit with her own thoughts.
“They can be,” I say slowly. “So tell me about you and William.”
“It’s... complicated.”
“In what way?”
She throws away her wadded paper towel and stares at herself in the mirror. “I’m not sure if I can explain it.”
“Try.”
“I’m...” She gulps. “It started kind of... superficially between us.”
This confirms Arthur’s impression, so I nod.
