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“This isn’t you,” he said. “Or at least, not the woman you were when you got out of college. Maybe we should revisit the idea of you not working. You wanted to wait until we got married, but if you’rethisdistracted ...”
I resisted the urge to grimace. I didn’t know why the idea of depending solely on him chafed me, but it did. Every single time he brought it up. But that was how he justified his long nights. He spoke about me financially depending on him as an inevitability, not an option.
And I couldn’t explain why it made me so nauseous. This was what I wanted, right?
“I think ... I think I’m just stressed with the house hunting and the recession.”
“Oh.” His hands came to rest on my shoulders, and I tried to find comfort in it. “Don’t worry aboutthat.”
I wish I found it as reassuring as he meant it to be.
“I think I might need a little more support.”
“Just wait until we get off work. I have theperfectthing.”
Oh,God.I didn’t think I had it in me to fake an orgasm tonight.
“I think I need something truly relaxing. You know, like a bath or something on my own.”
“You can do that after we finish the house viewing.”
“House hunting? That’s what we’re doing?”
“Yes. What else did you think it would be?”
I tried not to let relief show on my face. “N-nothing! But still ... Is house hunting ever stress relieving?”
“It is when I’ve found the perfect one. You’re gonna love it.”
We’d been doing this for the last six months. I was tired of apartment life, and Trevor had given in to my desire for a home. It had been a long journey, especially since we had very different tastes. But this was promising. Had he finally given in to the idea of an older home with character? Had he finally moved on from only wanting a brand-new place in the middle of a subdivision?
Hopefully, whatever plan he had would get me out of the rut I’d been in.
I needed it.
“I can’t wait to see it,” I said.
A pleased smile crossed his face, and he patted my shoulder before going to his office.
And the numbness came back.
“A kiss would have been nice,” I muttered before returning to my desk.
I ran right into Dad.
“Everything okay, Mollie-bear?”
I wish I could have felt something at his nickname for me.
“I’m fine. Or trying tobe.”
“Are you sure?” he asked again. “You were off in the meeting.”
“I don’t think I’ve spent enough time outside.”
He slowly nodded. I knew Dad didn’t get it, but at least he wasn’t as direct as Trevor.
“Have Trevor take you on a hike. Or go with your friend, Wren.”