Page 58 of Sighs By the Sea

Maggie leaves, and I don’t see or hear her once she’s gone. I finish frying the food, boil the pasta, and steam some carrots—one of the few vegetables she likes—then plate our food.

With two plates in hand, I head down the hall and push open her door with my back. “Dinner is served, mon cherie.”

But she doesn’t turn around, and she is most definitely not naked. The little minx is playing a video game. I clear my throat, and she turns, blushing. Sliding her headphones off, she gives me a sheepish smile. “Dinner?”

I set her plate on the desk and sit on her bed. “What’s this?” I ask.

“Erm, Overwatch.”

“And do I get a turn?”

She scoffs. “If we start your own profile. I’m nationally ranked.” She drops her fork as a new game starts, her food forgotten.

I shake my head but dig into the pasta. It’s delicious—full of garlic and seared lemony shrimp. My plate is empty within minutes.

For another twenty minutes, I’m content to watch her battle villains. Finally, I can’t take it anymore. I reach over and press the power button on her computer.

“Hey!” Maggie yells, but I pull her office chair—something pink and adorable—away from the desk.

“I’m being ignored, but worse yet, so is my food.”

She laughs and takes the headset off. “Maybe we should warm it up.” Her tone turns sultry, and I have a feeling she’s not talking about the food.

I lean down and kiss her, but too soon, she pulls away. “I should eat.”

I furrow my brow. This is a stark difference from how she was acting this morning. Something’s off.

“Is everything okay, Maggie?”

She suddenly seems very interested in her pasta. Twirling it around her fork, she says, “Yep. Why?”

“Hmm.” I don’t press further. Instead, I watch as she finishes her meal, then take her plate. “I guess I’ll go clean up.”

I walk down the hall, and she doesn’t follow. This is wrong, all wrong. Maybe she needs space. I think things through as I quickly wash the dishes. When I’m done, I dry my hands and turn around.

Maggie is leaning against the fridge, watching me with a smirk. “Yes?”

“I like you being here, Grayson. But…” Here it is, the speech about taking things slower or respecting her boundaries.

I hold up my hand. “I’m sorry. I thought—”

“No, no. This was fantastic. I was just gonna say that something at work is bugging me, and I can’t talk about it yet.”

“Okay…” I study her face. Sympathy is written all over it. “Would you like me to leave?”

She closes her eyes and sighs. It’s long and filled with such exasperation that I’m ready to run out of her house, tail tucked between my legs.

“No. But I need to know, do you trust me?”

I don’t hesitate. “Of course, Maggie.”

She bites her bottom lip and looks into the living room. “Even if it has to do with you and your family?”

I take a few steps closer and grab her hands, uncrossing her arms to wrap around my waist. “Maggie, I know you would have a good reason. But can I ask, why can’t you talk?”

Her eyes drift down to where our stomachs are touching. “I need more information first, Grayson. I can’t talk about this until I know for sure. Okay?”

Studying her face, I see pain. Whatever she has discovered is hurting her. I hate it. That I’m causing her pain somehow. “I’m sorry, Grayson. I really wish I could explain more. But this is part of the job, okay? Sometimes, I’ll have to keep things from you.”

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