Page 63 of War

“Would you like something?” I ask as I head toward the bar. I wasn’t planning on having a drink, but with the strange tension swirling between us, I think we both might need one.

“I’m fine.”

With a shrug, I pull out a single wine glass. We have a game tomorrow, so I only allow myself a small amount. “Did you get the documents I sent to you?”

When she doesn’t respond, I carry my wine to the kitchen, where she’s holding a bulky Dutch oven and wearing a scowl.Okay. Something is definitely off.

“Need help?”

I set my glass on the table, but when I turn to take the Dutch oven from her, she skirts around me and plops it down with a loud thud.

“Smells delicious.” It really does, and I’m hoping the compliment will soften her strange mood.

She shrugs and pulls the lid off the baking dish to reveal a seriously charred piece of meat. I think it’s supposed to be a roast, but it’s shriveled and dry. “Hope it’s good. I don’t eat meat, but I wanted to make something special for you.”

“Didn’t you eat bacon on Christmas morning?”

Her eyes widen. “Oh, I only eat pig.”

“That’s—” I frown. “An odd distinction.” Shaking off the strangeness of the moment, I pick up the serving fork and a steak knife and stab at the roast, but when I try to cut into it, the fork won’t come back out. Wiggling it back and forth, I stare down at the hunk of meat, my tongue in my cheek.

“Something wrong?” she asks in a syrupy-sweet voice.

I shake my head. “Nope, just starving. I think I’ll take the entire thing.” With the serving fork, I heft the roast up out of the dish and drop it onto my plate. As it lands with a splat, I stare at it, trying to figure out what to do next.

Should I try a bigger knife? Would a bigger knife even do me any good?

Ava sits across from me with a plate of vegetables and digs in. When she takes her second bite and I’m still staring at my food, Irealize I need to do something, so I pick up the entire piece of meat, and like a caveman, I take a bite right off the top.

I chew…and I chew some more. My teeth have nothing on this steak, though. It’sterrible.I keep my face neutral as I reach for my wine and take a long swig to wash it down. “So the paperwork?” I rasp, my throat dry.

Ava smiles. “It’s on your desk. All signed.”

Relief floods me. “Excellent. I really wanted to get that part out of the way. I know the way we started this was awkward, but I’m glad we agree that this is what’s right for our family.”

Her jaw hardens as she chews. Then, with her eyes narrowed on me, she picks up my glass and downs the rest of the wine.

I cough out a laugh. “Thirsty? I can get you a glass of your own.”

“Oh, but why would we do that when what’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine?”

A huff of a laugh escapes me. “Very true.” I stand and shuffle to the bar for the bottle and another glass. Looks like I’ll need a bit more to get through that roast.

“So you had your attorney draft that?” she asks as I return to the table.

I fill both wine glasses halfway and set the bottle down. “Yeah. Figured we should get it taken care of as soon as possible. This way our roles are laid out clearly.”

She picks up her glass and drains it quickly. Then she holds it out, silently signaling that I should fill ’er up. When I don’t move quick enough, she stands, reaches across the table, and snatches the bottle.

“So you read it?” She drops back into her seat.

Anxiety rushes through me as I study her. “Yes?”

She holds the bottle close to her lips, scrutinizing me with narrowed eyes. “Allof it?”

I’m not sure what she’s getting at or why she’s so unhinged, so I answer slowly. “I think so?”

An angry, closed-mouthhumphis her only response. Then she pushes the chair back, causing it to screech against the hardwood floor. When she stands, she sways a bit but quickly rights herself. “Well,” she slurs, cheeks red and eyes glassy, “you can take your contract and gofuck yourself. How about this for mypurpose? I’ll be in our bedroompurposefullygiving myself all the orgasms, whether you like it or not.”

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