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“I was hoping you wanted to talk,” I admitted, my heart sinking.
“I’m just keeping to my promise and checking in.”
I sighed, the ache in my side worsening. “You aren’t ready to talk?”
“Please don’t ask me that. Not yet.”
The pleading in her voice begged me not to press her but after days of minimal contact, I couldn’t help myself.
“I can’t wait, Nora. I’m dying here. I miss you. I want to fix this.” I stepped off the treadmill, stalking back to the empty office.
“I want to fix this, too.”
A weight lifted off me at the first hint that she had softened. “Great. What do I need to do? I’ll do it.”
“I’m not sure.”
Not a promising start, but I didn’t have any better ideas. Too late to tell Nora the truth first, I found myself stuck on what she’d said to me in the driveway at Len’s house.
How could we trust each other when we’d built our marriage on a lie?
“I need more time.”
I inhaled, steadying my thudding heart. “Okay. If that’s what you need, I can do it, but can you at least pick up my calls?”
“We don’t have to talk about us?”
“No. We’ll just talk about our day. About Trashcan. How is the little fleabag?”
“He misses you. He’s been bringing me his leash, begging me for a run.”
Good dog. At least he was on my side. “So, you’re taking up running?”
“Not a chance. I’m too busy with school. And, honestly, I don’t want to.”
“Fair point,” I laughed, glad for some small semblance of normality between us and enjoying it before I ruined the mood. “So, I hate to ask, but are you still traveling down for the grand opening? I know I said I wouldn’t ask about us, but if you’re not planning on coming, I should probably prime everyone. Make up an excuse.”
The long pause didn’t give me much confidence in the ‘yes’ I desperately wanted.
But I’d already booked a suite for the night, and some small part of me hoped a night away from home would give us time to work through the awkwardness between us.
“I have to, right?”
I winced. “You don’t have to do anything.”
“That was part of our deal. You highlighted this trip. It was one you wanted me to go on.”
“Yeah, it was,” I conceded. “But I’m not going to force you to come, Nor. Just if you can. If you want.”
She exhaled loudly. “It was so much easier to lie when there was nothing between us.”
My stomach twisted. “I know.”
“Can I sleep on it?”
I raked a hand through my hair. “Sure. Absolutely. Not a problem.”
“Thanks. I’ll talk to you later.”
