Page 36 of Only You and Me

Her words grate on my nerves, but I do my damnedest not to show it. It’s a long shot, but I really want to take any time I have with Trina showing her I’m a different man than I was back when we dated.

I have her full attention now.

“First of all, yes, I’m jealous. I’ve spent the better part of the last decade jealous of any man who’s been lucky enough to spend time with you.” I watch as her jaw drops. “Second, this marriage may have been unintentional, but let me be clear about one thing. To me, there is nothing fake about it.”

CHAPTER11

TRINA

I stare down at the text messages on my phone, my hands shaking. The flowers stopped coming after the station staff declined two bouquets. I had one week of peace. Only one.

After that is when the hang up calls started. At first, they came from the same number but when I blocked that number, they started coming from another.

I should have told Ben about them when we had that late lunch in Meadow Creek last week. But I didn’t. I convinced myself maybe they were wrong numbers. Thirty-two calls in a week, though…

And now I have three text messages.

Unknown: You could have told me you don’t like flowers. I wonder if you know how shitty it feels to have a gift rejected like that. I’m trying to give you the benefit of the doubt here, but you’re not making it easy.

I didn’t respond, and two hours passed. Another came, and I opened it.

Unknown: Nothing to say? No apology? Perhaps you’re a dick tease and a heartless bitch like so many of your gender. I’m running out of patience.

I stand staring at the phone for twenty minutes after that text, unable to move. When the phone dings again, I jump.

Unknown: I’m sorry, love. I don’t mean to be short with you. I thought we’d be together by now and it’s getting hard to wait. Please forgive me.

This person is unhinged.

My hands are unsteady as I search my contacts and press the call button.

“Hello?”

I’m unsure why, but when I hear Ben’s voice, something inside me calms.

“Ben?” My voice trembles and tears fill my eyes.

“Trina? What’s wrong? What happened?” His pitch increases and the strain in his voice is audible.

“I… I need to talk to you. Can I come over to?—”

“Are you safe? I can be at your house in fifteen minutes.”

Relief floods me and I try not to dwell on why. “I’m safe. Are you sure you’re not busy?”

“Even if I was, I would leave for you. I’ll be there in fifteen. Do you want me to stay on the phone with you?”

Yes.

“No. I’m okay. I’ll see you soon.” When we hang up, I note the time on my watch and head to my bathroom to wash my face. Afterward, I walk to the kitchen to brew a half pot of coffee. I remember Ben used to like an afternoon cup most days and, even if he doesn’t still, I need something to do until he arrives.

Almost exactly fifteen minutes from when he said he’d be here, there’s a knock on my door. Not just any knock, the knock Ben used to use when he’d come to my apartment all those years ago. I can’t help but smile a little no matter how stressed I am, and I open the door.

“You didn’t even ask who it was,” he immediately says.

“I knew it was you.” I step back and motion for him to come in, securing the locks once he’s inside.

“Oh, really? How?”

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