Page 71 of King of Ashes
“So, what did he do?” she asks, slurping from her iced coffee.
I feel the blush heating my face. I didn’t even know I could blush before him.
I retract everything positive I’ve said about him. He’s a nuisance, making me feel and act unfamiliar.
“I don’t think you want to hear that.”
The tip of her nose scrunches up. “Yikes. Yes. Maybe, but I am here for you.”
The whole friendship thing puzzles me, but I opt for honesty. “We were supposed to, you know, but when I woke up, he was gone…”
Her jaw drops, and she stares at me incredulously. “He wasn’t there?”
I am not sure which of us is more surprised, adding to my confusion.
“Lower your voice,” I shush her.
She frowns, whispering, “Someone must have died, and someone will die, because he’d never skip that.”
“Really?” I ask, sounding unsure, which I despise.
She avoids my gaze and laughs, but it sounds forced. “It’s been so long. Like, you’ve been the only woman, and he married you. I want him to be happy,” she says, finding my hand on the table and giving it a light squeeze. “I want you to be happy.”
“You don’t even know me.”
She offers me a bright smile, instantly easing me. “I’m a good people-reader.”
As she tells me she is a sculptor, and that most of the time she holes herself up in her creative space, a few more hours pass.
After lunch, she accompanies me to a high-end underwear shop, and I buy some pieces just to mess with him.
My phone hasn’t stopped vibrating, and as we enjoy some dessert at a chic bakery, his sports car parks right next to our table, ignoring the no-parking sign.
I roll my eyes at him. My husband has a penchant for dramatics.
“He’s pissed.” She muses and continues eating her strawberry cake as I ignore him.
He towers over me like a storm––mighty and unstoppable, and I notice that we have gathered attention.
“I was enjoying myself until you burst in here,” I say haughtily to hide that I enjoy him finding me.
He pins me with an intent glare. “Sorry to bother you, wife, but we’re going home.”
“We’re not, husband.”
“We are,” he says, brooking no argument. “We have some unfinished business.”
The innuendo causes a heatwave.Stay strong, Zara.
“This is gold,” his cousin says, watching us with rapt interest.
We whip our eyes toward her, and she lifts her arms, not hiding her amusement.
17
VIAN
This morning started great and then turned to shit. I barely slept, contemplating her and simply enjoying the feel of her body pressed against mine, so pumped for morning to come so I could finally have her. Hoping the first sunrays wouldn’t stomp down her desire. Ecstasy blends with terror, tearing me apart. Her mind remembers, and I will lose her if she puzzles the pieces together.
