Page 32 of What About Now

It’s Saturday, and Brogan has to work. She only works one weekend a month unless she’s picking up hours. This is the first Saturday since we’ve been married that she’s not been home, and I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself.

I’m missing my wife.

I got up early and made her breakfast, which seemed to shock her. I believe her exact words were “Why would you be up this early on a weekend when you have nowhere to be?” I just smiled and handed her a plate of toast, bacon, and eggs. While she ate her breakfast, I started her car for her and filled her favorite tumbler with coffee, just the way she likes it.

She mentioned that she needed to go to the store, and I assured her that I could do it on my own. We’ve done the grocery shopping together every Saturday for a month. I’m sure I can handle it. Her face got an adorable shade of red when she told me she needed feminine products. I told her to text me what she needed, but she refused. So, I went to the bathroom and brought out the almost empty boxes. When I asked her if it was the right ones, she nodded and tucked her chin to her chest.

She’s cute as hell, thinking that I wouldn’t walk into any store and buy her what she needs. As soon as she left, I cleaned up the kitchen from breakfast, started a load of laundry, and swept and mopped the floors.

Looking around, I make a mental note to dust when I return. I want to head to the store so I can get back and make sure I have dinner ready when she gets home. I double check to make sure I have my phone, wallet, and the list from the refrigerator, and get on the road. As I’m driving through town, I get the idea to take her a little treat. I know she loves the vanilla chai lattes from Pastry Haven, which isn’t far from her work.

I’m in and out in less than ten minutes and pulling into the lot of her work. I strut through the main doors like I own the place as my eyes scan behind the desk, looking for Brogan.

“Hi, can I help you?” an older lady greets me.

“I hope so. I was hoping to see my wife and give her a midmorning pick me up.” I raise the latte so she can see it.

“Oh, that’s so sweet. Who is your wife?”

“Brogan Lanigan.” Damn, I love the sound of that. Her eyes widen, which tells me she probably has no idea we’re married. Something like disappointment washes over me, but I push it back. I have five more months to make her want this, want me for a lifetime.

She recovers quickly. “Oh! Brogan. Let me get her.” She rolls her chair back as she stands and disappears into the back of the office. I stand off to the side, not wanting to be in anyone’s way, when the door to the lobby opens, and Brogan sticks her head out.

“Maddox? What are you doing here?”

“I brought you a vanilla chai latte.” I hand her the cup as I lean in to kiss her cheek. I know she’s at work, but I can’t help myself where my wife is concerned.

“That was sweet of you. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted to. I’m on my way to the store, so it wasn’t out of the way.”

She nods, taking a sip of her drink. “It’s perfect, Maddox. Thank you.” She gives me a soft smile, and I wish I could scoop her up and take her home with me.

“Is there anything else you can think of that we need from the store?”

“No. I can stop after work. I don’t mind.”

“Nope. You come straight home to me.” I lean in and kiss her cheek again. “I’ll see you soon, baby. Enjoy the rest of your day.” I turn to leave, waving at the receptionist on my way out.

The grocery store wasn’t as busy as I expected it to be, but I was still there for over an hour. I went up and down every aisle, grabbing snacks I’ve seen Brogan buy since we’ve been together. Basically, I bought way too much food, but that time of the month is here, and I don’t know what she’s in the mood for. Not that I won’t go back out and grab her whatever she wants or needs, but I wanted her to be stocked, just in case. I also grabbed her favorite ice cream, thanks to a quick text to her sister, as well as some chocolate bars.

I was thinking ahead and took pictures on my phone of all of her feminine products, so finding those and tossing two boxes of each into the cart was a breeze. I don’t know how many she needs, but I figured two boxes of each were a safe bet.

My phone rings as I’m wrapping up, putting everything away. “Hello?” I answer, not looking at the screen as I take the trash out to the can in the garage.

“What are you doing today?” Lachlan asks.

“I just got back from the store, and I’m getting ready to dust and make dinner.”

“Ugh, I hate dusting,” he complains.

“I don’t know anyone who enjoys it, but it has to be done.”

“Yeah,” he says, and I can almost guarantee he’s looking around his house and seeing that he needs to dust. “Where’s the wife today?”

“She had to work.”

“Bummer. All right, well, I’m heading to my parents’ for the night. My mom keeps saying I never come to see her, and the guilt is heavy, so we’re having dinner, and I’ll chill there for a while. I was going to invite you to come along, but I’m pretty sure I know what your answer will be.” He chuckles.

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