Page 71 of Five Years
“When will I see you?” Leah asked.
Ariana rose up, pressing her lips against Leah’s forehead. Their fingers automatically laced together. Leah inhaled deeply; the smell of her neck reminded her of a cold winter’s morning wrapped in the warmth of her embrace. She missed that more than anything else—she missed the warmth of her body. That’s where she’d always felt so accepted and understood.
“Soon. I promise.”
Ariana gathered her belongings, turning back once she reached the door.
“Answer your phone this time, okay?”
“What will you do if I don’t?” Leah teased.
“I’ll have to come all the way over here again and make up some poor excuse about my building going through a renovation.” Ariana winked.
“You didn’t?” Leah laughed.
Ariana shrugged. “Don’t work too hard. It’s almost Christmas.”
Ariana and Hannah never announced their engagement on social media. That was the second red flag Leah noticed. The first had been the timing—and Ariana’s reaction on the balcony combined. The third came when Grace let slip that Hannah had been taking a lot of work trips in recent months. She was always at one hotel or another, joining some loyalty scheme that allowed her to collect points she’d later spend on an extended work trip.
Not a trip with Ariana.
The fourth came from Ariana’s mouth when she told Leah they’d been sleeping in separate bedrooms.
Was Hannah having an affair?
The guilt could push her to do something as drastic as a proposal.
The lack of news surrounding their engagement suggested a desire to keep it quiet.
Who was she trying to hide it from?
And work trips? It seemed unusual that someone in finance would take so many. Leah only took two or three a year, and only for leadership events, high-profile clients, or potential partnerships—but twice-monthly trips? Odd––unless you’re trying to avoid being at home.
“Sweetheart, did you schedule the interviews for the lead financial advisor position?” Douglas Green bellowed from his office door to where Leah sat, meticulously analysing the profit report.
“No, not yet. I’ve reviewed the applications—I had it in my schedule for tomorrow.”
“Okay, good. Don’t bother, I’ve found the perfect candidate.” He beamed.
“You’ve what?” Leah spun around. Douglas was already back at his desk.
“What do you mean? I spent hours sorting through those applications.”
“I know, but someone I thought was unavailable is now available, and I think they’d make a wonderful addition,” Douglas said, his attention already back on the crowded inbox on his laptop screen.
“Care to elaborate? Or is it a secret?” Leah laughed.
“It’s not a secret, but I don’t want to compromise it, so I’m staying silent for now.”
“Okay, suit yourself.” Leah wasn’t invested enough to dig deeper. Her mind was too focused on the mountain of work she had to finish—and the added stress of wondering when she might see Ariana again.
If clarity was what she wanted, she had next to none.
There had been an admission of feelings; there was no unrequited love as Leah first feared. It seemed clear Ariana still felt something—but was it enough? Where did that leave her and Hannah?
She had the urge to send a text, just two words—
Now what?
