Page 130 of Now and Forever

Amanda, humiliated, picks up her things and leaves, but, before she does, she looks over her shoulder. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” she says.

Eric nods. She leaves, and I seethe.

“If you tell me you didn’t notice how that slut was coming on to you a few seconds ago, I swear I’ll pick up that statue on the desk and split your head open.” He doesn’t respond, so I go on. “That idiot was putting her tits in your face, and you were letting it happen.”

“You’re wrong.”

“No, I’m not wrong. You and Amanda get along so well, you don’t even realize it, do you? Well, great ... let’s keep it that way! Next time I see Fernando, since we get on so well, regardless of what you think or feel, I’ll sit on his lap when I talk to him, or put my tits in his face. What do you think of that?”

“You’re taking this too far, Jude,” he says, obviously incensed.

“Bullshit!” I shout. “You’re the one who’s taken it too far.”

His pissed-off face says a thousand words. I know I’m exaggerating; I saw Amanda flirting, not Eric, but I can’t stop myself.

“You should have already cut things off with Amanda. I’ve seen how she looks at you, and ... and ... if I hadn’t been with you, you would have ended up throwing her down on the desk just like before, wouldn’t you?”

“If I were you, I wouldn’t keep going ... ,” he cautions coldly.

“Aren’t you curious why she had to call you to the office at this hour?” He doesn’t answer. “Didn’t you see how she was dressed? She was just looking for sex. And you’re such an idiot, you don’t realize that, right?”

Eric still doesn’t answer. My words have clearly upset him. He picks up the papers Amanda left on the desk.

“There is absolutely nothing between Amanda and me. I’m not going to deny she still tries to seduce me, but I don’t pay her any attention and ...”

“You asshole!” I shout, out of my mind. “You know she’s still trying, but you don’t pay her any attention. Great, Eric! Next time I see that Leonard guy whose car I fixed, even though he’s trying to seduce me, I’ll let him. Sure, no worries, I won’t pay him any attention even though he tries. I’m sure you wouldn’t mind, right?”

That infuriates him. He sticks the papers in his briefcase, and, not looking at me, he walks out of the office. I follow him. We ride the elevator down in silence. I follow him to the car. We get in and drive the whole way home without saying a word. Our jealousy and insecurity are killing us. When we get home and he puts the car in the garage, he goes into his office and I go to my room. I slam the door and sit down on the fluffy rug.

I’m fuming!

I look toward the picture window. All I can see is darkness. I turn on my laptop, look at my email, and talk to my friends on Facebook; the conversation relaxes me.

Hours pass, and we still haven’t spoken. Neither of us thinks about our brief conversation concerning marriage. The clock shows two o’clock in the morning, and each of us still has a sense of wounded pride. Suddenly, my email light blinks. I have a message.

Eric! With my heart beating as fast as it can, I open the email and read:

From: Eric Zimmerman

Date: March 6, 2013, 02:11

For: Judith Flores

Subject: I can’t go on without talking to you

Darling, I know you’re right about everything you said, but I would NEVER cheat on you with Amanda or anyone else.

I love you madly and passionately.

Eric. The asshole.

When I read it, a silly little smile settles on my face.

How did he already win me over with an email?

I’m tempted to respond. But no. I won’t. I refuse to give in so easily. Ten minutes later, he sends another email.

From: Eric Zimmerman

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