Page 15 of In Flight

“What do you do with him?”

I shrug, confused and self-conscious about the line of questioning even though I recognize that it’s retaliation for my comments on Sophie. “We hang out. Watch TV. Go out to eat. He likes sports. His family likes to have big cookouts.”

“And what do the two of you do that you like?”

“I don’t mind any of those things.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Does he take you to art exhibits and museums? Flea markets? Does he find cute out-of-the-way bistros and tea shops? Does he plan picnics in gardens for you? Does he take you to craft fairs or pottery classes or silly tours through Savannah’s most haunted spots?”

“N-no.” For no good reason, I’m trembling. Shaking inside and outside. “Why would he do all that?”

“Because you would enjoy it.”

I lick my lips and try to pull myself together. It’s deeply unsettling that he described in only a few seconds so many outings that would have thrilled me had Cash offered to do even one. “I don’t need all that. We do normal things. I have a good time with him.”

“Okay.”

Rallying, I give him a good glare. “Is it entirely necessary for you to be so snide?”

“You’re the one who brought up relationships. I’m only saying you don’t have any surer footing in yours than I have in mine.”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

“Yes, maybe. And I’m not the one having to go to the ballet tonight while I’m dead on my feet.”

He chuckles softly. Without a real smile. Raises one shoulder in his half shrug. “It’ll be fine. I’m not that tired.”

He says the words with confidence, but I don’t believe them. He looks really tired to me. Heavy. It must be exhausting to have to be away from home for so long.

At least it’s only the weekends I’m away, and even these trips will only be for a few months.

“If you’re not happy in your relationship, you should break up,” I tell him. “It’s not fair to her to string her along when you’re not all in, just because you want the status she offers you.”

He turns his head toward me, colder than I’ve ever seen him. “That’s not the reason I’m dating her. You made that up in your imagination.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. I’m just saying what I think. How long have you been dating her?”

“Almost a year.”

“That’s too long. Last week you said three months was too long for me to be dating Cash when I wasn’t really into him. How do you justify a year?”

“I’m not like you. I don’t lead with my heart.”

“In a relationship, you should.”

“Do we really need to be having this conversation right now?”

He’s not bantering right now. He’s stiff. Genuinely annoyed with me.

So I drop the topic and turn back to my sketch.

I stew over his infuriating nature and habits for the rest of the flight.

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