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“Ouch. You still got a long time to go.” Tobias cringed. “If I remember correctly, she won’t start sleeping through the night until she’s about three months old.”
“The doctor said she might start sleeping through the night sooner. She’s already about ten pounds.”
“People think they know what it’s like to be tired, but they don’t…not until they have a baby.” Tobias’s face softened and his eyes took on a faraway look. “You don’t realize it at the time, but they grow up fast. Still…I miss a lot of things about having little kids, but I do not miss those sleepless nights.” He grinned. “It’ll be better soon. I swear.”
“Yeah, it’ll be fucking fantastic.” He didn’t want to think about Irene growing up because as soon as Alison didn’t need him so she could sleep she’d leave. “How is the market in Germany going?”
“They aren’t as eager as I’d like, but—”
“Then make them eager. That’s your job.”
“Don’t take out your frustration on me,” said Tobias.
“Why? You’re the one not doing your job.”
“Oh, this is not about work. This is about your fucked-up relationship with your wife.”
“This has nothing to do with that. Our relationship is…improving.” He wished that were true. Sometimes he even believed that it was, but those fantasies ended every night when Alison crawled into bed and went to sleep as far away from him as she could.
“Right. I've known you way too long for that. Have you talked to her yet?”
“I talk to her every day.” Playing obtuse wouldn’t work, but it would annoy his friend, and right now, irritating someone would make him feel just a little bit better.
“Harker, you need to talk to her.”
“Why? So she can remember to ask me again about the divorce papers.” He shook his head. “Nope. We’ll talk about Irene. She seems to forget how much she hates me when we discuss our daughter.”
“She doesn’t hate you. She’s just hurt and angry...and she should be. What you put in that contract…” Tobias shook his head. “I know you can be a determined prick, but that went too far, even for you.”
“I know. I don’t need another lecture from you or your wife.” When Merri found out about the clauses in the contract, she’d had more than a few things to say to him. None of them had been kind. “At the time it was just a business deal. I didn’t understand how I’d feel about Alison or Irene.”
“Then tell her that. Explain it to her.”
“I have, and she doesn't care.”
“Then what's your plan? Are you going to just keep going on like this? The two of you living together like a couple but without sex or communication?”
“She can't have sex yet anyway.” He had no idea if she’d ever let him touch her again, but he couldn’t help counting the days.
“Soon though.”
“I’m well aware of that.”
“How much longer do you think Alison will stay with you if you don’t talk to her.”
“I’ve tried talking to her. She won’t listen to me.”
“Then you’d better try harder, or one day you’re going to go home, and they’ll be gone.”
“What?” The panic that ran up his spine had claws. “Fuck. I always figured she’d yell at me before she left but now…Do you really think she’ll just leave?”
“I don’t know. It’d definitely be easier than fighting first.”
“Thanks a fucking lot.” He stood.
“Where are you going?”
“To make sure my wife hasn’t left me.” He headed for the door. “Wait here. I’ll only be a minute.”
