Page 96 of My Wife
So are the strange whooshy feelings I have for her and my constant craving for Bundt cake that just won’t quit.
Peeling her fingers free, I say, “I’m not glad you had a pee emergency, but I am glad we met.”
Her eyes shine. “Wouldn’t we have anyway, since I’m your work wifey?” Her voice is light, almost flirty as he slips out from memories of the past and into the present—into the woman I know and?—
It’s an astonishing transformation and so are these—what are they called? Oh, right. Feelings.
“Needless to say, I was stood up on my wedding day, lost my job, and my place to live all in the space of an hour. After that, I promised myself that I wouldn’t stop smiling or nearly get sucked into a cult again, but I also told myself I’d never, ever date a coworker or boss.”
“Did you really?”
She nods and lets out a long, long sigh.
This is a cue for me to break through my self-imposed armor. But I don’t. Not yet.
Not before Jessica asks, “What are you going to do about your ex?”
But that’s not the question I’m asking. It’s more likeWhat am I going to do about Jessica?
* * *
I don’t stop thinkingabout my work wifey. My nanny. My peach. My Jessica. But she can never be mine. Said so herself. Anyway, I’m not worthy of a woman like her.
So I flirt with disaster, knowing I’m the only one who will pay the price. It’s late, but I send her a text. She might be up reading recipe blogs since she struggles with insomnia. I have the coffee bean bill to prove it. Not that I mind.
Me: Are you still awake?
Jessica: Of course I am. Why do you think no one says Carpe Nox as in Seize the Night!?
Me: That’s a very good question.
Doesn’t the moon emoji look like a wheel of cheese?
Me: It kinda does.
Jessica: Want to play truth or dare?
Me: What are we, 12?
Jessica: No, then we’d play spin the bottle.
Me: Not judging, but you had your first kiss when you were twelve?
Jessica: Technically, no. I went into the closet with Bobby Oatkes. It was dark. I picked up Mrs. Oatkes’s shoe. He pressed his lips to the leather sole. We never spoke of it again. But I was also moved to a new town three weeks later, so …
Me: Clever. Glad he didn’t put his dirty lips on yours.
Am I being possessive? Protective? Petty? I don’t know, but the idea of anyone’s lips on Jessica’s makes me want to wipe the smile the guy was sure to have off his undeserving face.
Jessica: How about you? When was your first kiss?
Me: Sounds a lot like we’re already playing truth or dare.
Jessica: Just the truth part. I suppose it would be hard to know whether we follow through with dares.
Me: Then truth it is.
Jessica: Okay, tell me something truthful.
