Chapter 10

MAY. "Here," I say, handing Anna a cup of coffee. She takes it from me with trembling fingers and murmurs her thanks, not quite meeting my gaze. I'm usually the one tearing up. She's the strong one. She's the one who's had to hold it all together so that everyone can be happy. An awkward silence passes between us, in which I merely watch her drink and hide her tears from me. "You should return to work," I say after some time. "If this problem stems from that, then you could go back to work like you used to." I'm pretty sure the problem didn't stem from her not having a job. The problem in itself was Sean and his douchebag tendencies. He didn't deserve Anna, and she didn't deserve him. One day, he had been sweet, bringing her flowers, bringing me gifts so I could put in good word for him. One day, he'd been my sister's knight. One day, he'd been the second good thing that had made her want to cling to life. Now, however, all he did was make her cry; make her feel hurt. "There'll be no one to look after Finn if I do. I can't just leave him." "And the daycares? There are so many options, Anna. For how long will you keep restricting yourself, compromising, forgetting all about yourself for a man who will never do the same for you?" "Sean isn't like that, May. He's going through a lot at work and it's taking a toll on him. He's just... frustrated," she says, even if her eyes tell me otherwise. I wonder why she even bothers going out of her way to defend him and make him look right in my eyes. He won't ever. I know him, and I've seen past the handsome exterior to what lurks beneath. Surely, she has seen it too. The mean and ungrateful bastard that Sean is. I shoot her a knowing look. "Stop making excuses for him, Ann." I shake my head, changing the topic since she seems a little uncomfortable with talking to me about it. "I came here because I wanted to invite you to a gathering my in-laws are hosting." Anna seems to brighten up at that, dropping the mug. She leans forward, curiosity overtaking her sour mood. "Gathering? Whatever happened to a decent family dinner or something?" I laugh, waving it off. "It's probably that. Ethan's grandmother addressed it as that, so I just thought my invitation might sound a little...you know, formal." Anna blinks. "What kind of people are they?" Even I don't know the answer to that question. Sometimes Ethan's simple, sometimes he's not. I consider telling her all about the card incident of this morning but I decide now's not the best time to talk about that sort of thing. Maybe another time. "I don't know, Anna. Just...be there for me. I'd really appreciate that." She smiles. "Of course, I'll be there. Anything for you, May." Much later, I'm riding along the streets on my bike, my thoughts preoccupied with loads of things; my sister and Sean, Finn, Ethan and this odd gathering that I have absolutely no idea what to prepare for or expect. Harriet is nice, but it'd be a stretch to think everyone in his family would be nice to me like her. And what if they're just like him? Brooding and uneasy to read or please? How do I handle any of this? I'm not even a people person. At all. I am not just asexual. I'm antisocial. Working as a waitress has made it less glaring, but these sort of interactions make me tired. Smiling and playing hostess...Heavens. How on earth am I going to pull that off? I peer down at myself. I can't meet Ethan's family looking like this. I'm going to need to meet up with Ginny. I need a new haircut and some clothes. The kind *women* wear. Too occupied in my thoughts I barely notice the car I am riding into until I am too close to it to avoid a crash. I yelp, swerving for the walkway at the last minute, and the car halts before it can slam into me. Had he not stopped, the car would have hit me. "You need to be more careful, lady," the driver says to me, his head peeking out the window. "I'm really sorry," I tell him, ducking my head in an honest apology. My eyes drift to the tinted glass of the car, noting the fine details of the Rolls-Royce, and I am so darn happy I didn't even touch the car. What if they had sued me for damage? Other than borrowing from Ethan or Ginny, I'd be screwed. The driver reclines back in his chair, turning to listen to whoever's in the backseat, and without warning he drives off, leaving me by the walkway, staring after the car. ***** ETHAN. She could be a little more careful on the road. I peer into the side mirror, watching as she rides down the street in that bike. Boundaries set. Lines drawn. I can't make a fuss about hating that she isn't taking my offer to get her a car. No. My wife would much rather ride the streets on a bike. Jared would laugh his head off if he ever found out about this. Not just Jared. Possibly the entire city. I am a man of no small stature. It'd be a slight on my image if my wife were caught in clothes like those, living like this. But I cannot speak a word of this to her. Not unless I want her biting my head off. She's been a little over the edge since I returned. A little? That's not nearly enough to classify how scary and tense the atmosphere has been. I've never been in this situation before, and I'm not sure how to deal with a cranky woman. Jared says to give her space, but knowing May, it won't just be my flip-flops outside the next time I decide to ghost. She'll probably keep my things by the door and usher me on to the next trip. I think back to breakfast earlier. I had always meant to give her the card, but I didn't need a detailed record on her expenses. I'd only said that to see how she responded to it. My short test might be coming to an end sooner than I bargained for. May is not a materialistic woman. She definitely didn't marry me for my wealth and I know that now. I understand it. It disturbs me a little that she finds it uncomfortable. The thought that I could be an insanely rich man. Will she leave me if she finds out to what extent my riches go? Will she leave me if she finds out about the tests? Will she yell at me like she did this morning if she finds out about my little game? Whichever it is, I'll find out soon enough. With the family gathering happening soon, all things will come to light. I can't say I look forward to the gathering this time. It's always been such a tedious affair for me. Having May involved with that could be the wrong way or the very wrong way. My screen flashes and my gaze flicks to it. I tap my earbuds and a deep voice floats in. "The flowers and boxes have been delivered. She's in the driveway." I nod. "Good. Watch the house. Anything happens to my wife and you're fired." *My wife...* Odd that it rolls off my tongue quite easily, but what is even more strange is that I quite like calling her that. And for *my wife's* final test before I reveal the truth to her, I'm going to adhere to Jared's advice and be what he thinks every woman wants; A gentleman.