Page 140 of The Grump Next Door
“It’s just grilled cheese.”
“It’s perfect.” Another bite. “How is it perfect?”
“Garlic butter. Touch of rosemary.”
“You put rosemary in grilled cheese?”
“You got a problem with that?”
“No. It’s just very… you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
She grins around another bite. “Overachieving. Even with sandwiches.”
I lean against the counter, watching her demolish the food. It’s strangely satisfying. “When’s the last time someone took care of you?”
She pauses mid-chew. “I take care of myself.”
I give her a stern look.
She looks at me. Really looks. “That’s part of the reason for my vacation to Italy.”
The words hang between us. Too honest for whatever we’re pretending this is.
“Couch?” I ask once she finishes the sandwich.
“Couch.”
We migrate to the living room. She curls into one corner; I take the other. Careful distance. Like that’ll help.
“Tell me about Emily,” she says.
“Why?”
“Because I’m leaving tomorrow and we’re being honest tonight.”
Fair.
“We met when I was still in law school.” The words come easier than expected. “She was… everything. Smart. Driven. Understood the hours, the pressure. We made sense on paper.”
“But not in reality?”
“I thought we did. Six years. Had an apartment together. Planned a future.” I stare at the ceiling. “Two weeks before the wedding, I came home early. Found her in our bed with someone else.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah.” I laugh, but it’s sharp. “Best part? She’d been seeing him for months. Using my money to fund their dates. Maxed out our cards buying him things.”
“Dean…”
“She said I was too much. Too intense. Too focused on work.” I look at Poppy. “Too Dean.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.” She shifts closer.
