I went with the easy answer and told her that he recently moved into a new home and is looking for a fresh start.
Turning, I survey my bedroom and the small closet that holds all of my clothes.
My suitcase is tucked in the corner of it. I’ve only ever used it once, and that was during the trip to Cincinnati.
I start toward the closet, but a knock on my apartment door stops me in place.
Panicking, I glance down at the diamond ring on my left hand.
If a member of my family is standing on the other side of the door, I’ll have a lot of explaining to do. I’m hoping that I can get through the next ninety days without any of them finding out that I married Graham.
I won’t hold back the fact forever, but I will wait to tell them until I’ve filed for divorce.
If I don’t, I’ll have to deal with my parents’ disappointment and a never-ending stream of questions from my siblings.
I slide the ring from my finger and place it carefully on my nightstand next to the base of a lamp.
Then I smooth my hands over the front of my skirt, take a deep breath and head straight for the door.
I swing it open without bothering to peer through the peephole.
I smile when I see who is standing there.
“Aurora.” I glance down the hallway to her closed apartment door. “To what do I owe this mid-day visit?”
She tries to peer around me. “Is everything all right, Trina?”
No. I’m married to my boss, and I have to go camp out at his place to play make-believe for who knows how long.
I hold that in because the situation is as absurd as it sounds.
“Just taking a break.” I lean against the doorjamb. “How are you? How’s Eldon?”
“Good and good.”
I wait for more, but she’s still focused on what’s behind me. If memory serves me correctly, it’s nothing special. The only thing in her line of sight worth looking at is the one houseplant that I’ve managed to keep alive for the past four months.
I suddenly realize that the plant will likely outlast my first marriage.
“Do you want to come in?” I step aside to give her full access to the doorway.
She shakes her head. “I’m on my way to have a late lunch with Eldon. I heard your door slam shut, so I wanted to be sure everything was okay.”
“All is great in my world,” I lie. “Will you say hi to Eldon for me?”
“You know I will.” She grins. “We should all meet up for coffee one day soon.”
“I’d love that,” I say honestly.
I need that.
I miss hanging out with them.
“I’ll set it up and text you the details.” She pats the back pocket of her jeans where her phone always is. “I’m heading out. Are you going back to the office now?”
I wish.
“I have a couple of things to do before I take off.” I glance down at my watch. “We’ll talk soon?”
“You know it.” She yanks me into an unexpected embrace. “I’m glad I knocked on your door. I needed to see a friendly face.”
I step back to study her. “You’re sure everything is okay, Aurora?”
“It is.” She raises her hand in the air. “I swear.”
I can tell she could use a friend, but my time is limited. I don’t know when Lloyd will wake up, but I want to be there for that and for the delivery that Ida is sending to Graham’s home.
“I should be the one asking you that.” She smiles. “You look stressed. Is your boss being an asshole again?”
“Something like that,” I mutter.
“Look on the bright side.”
“What’s the bright side?” I wrinkle my nose.
“At least you’re not married to the guy.”
How I wish that were still true. In the past twenty-four hours, I’ve not only married the guy, but I’ve also become so deeply entangled in his life that I’m going to be living under the same roof as him.
“You’re supposed to agree with me,” Aurora says through a stilted giggle. “Unless you secretly want to marry him.”
Feeling cornered, I bark out a laugh. “Oh, Aurora.”
“I know, I know.” She sighs. “From what you’ve told me, he’s a heartless bastard who doesn’t have a compassionate bone in his body. I know you well enough to know that you’d never marry someone like that.”
But, I did, and within the hour, I’ll be moving into his home with the hope that I’ll come out of this marriage as the same woman I am today.
Chapter Eleven
Trina
When the elevator doors slide open to reveal the foyer to Graham’s apartment, I shove the keycard in the back pocket of my jeans.
I changed clothes before I came over since I realized that I wasn’t going back to the office today.
My official workday is done, but this show that Graham and I are putting on for Mr. Abdon is just getting started.