Arriving at the restaurant, I’m ushered to a private seat next to a large aquarium. The perks of being wealthy are that I never have to wait for a table or make reservations for good seating. But the downside is that every waiter thinks that a table for two always means a date. It gets awkward when it’s a male client or a platonic friend like it is today.

I don’t see Rebecca yet, so I settle into my seat. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her. We were fourteen and in Germany the last time we saw each other. Her father was often stationed at many of the same bases where my father was, and we remained close through much of our childhood as a result. I always told her she was the sister I never had, and she would pretend to be upset that it was my not-so-subtle way of telling her she had no chance with me. But I know she never lacked for suitors. She’s extremely attractive, with a personality to match. I can’t wait for Laura to meet her; I know they’ll get along well.

Rebecca is in the fashion industry, although she operates on a different end than Laura does. While Laura does design and development, Rebecca handles the business end of things. When I told her about Laura a few weeks ago, she was excited to tell me that she’d be in town for a week and that she wanted to sit down to discuss some options Laura will have.

I didn’t tell Rebecca about the arrangement that Laura and I have because I know she won’t approve. I’m starting to regret the limitations I put on the terms myself, so I don’t care to discuss all the ways I’m being a complete idiot.

My hope is that Rebecca will see how talented Laura is and keep her in mind for future offers. I want to see Laura succeed in this area. She won’t be happy doing what she’s doing forever. Maybe if she sees that she can have what she’s looking for with me, she’ll stay. Right now, I think she has this idea in her head that she can’t fulfill her career goals while she’s with me. I want to prove to her otherwise.

“You’re early!” I see a woman stalking toward me in four-inch heels and barely recognize her.

“Becca!” I give her a hug, and she squeezes me back.

“Marriage looks good on you.” She grins, brushing hair out of her face. “I’m glad you found someone else. Bella must be so happy. You should have brought them both. I want to meet them!”

I forget that Becca still hasn’t seen Bella in person. “You’ll have to come by the house next time you’re in town.” I smile. “Bella’s a handful, but Laura is so good with her.”

“That’s so important,” Becca gushes as she looks over the menu. “When they know how to love your kids, that’s when you know they’re ‘the one,’ you know?”

I ask about her own marriage, and she tells me all about her husband. I can see the love in her eyes, and hear how her voice changes when she talks about him. I feel a pang of envy, and wish Laura felt this way about me. If I could go back and do it over again, I wouldn’t have made up a contract that made feelings and emotions void.

Becca tells me about several contacts that she has, two of which I know Laura will be interested in. “If you can show them her portfolio, I know they’ll reach out to her on their own,” I tell her.

“You got it,” Becca says flipping through the file. “I’m impressed already; she’s got a real eye for design. She knows her stuff. I love these silhouettes! And those patterns are amazing!”

I’m proud of Laura and hope she won’t be upset by me interfering. It feels like we’ve been on different wavelengths since we got back from our trip. She isn’t as open with me, and it seems like she’s going through the motions in bed. The sex is still amazing, but I can tell she’s holding back.

The waiter brings the check, and I pay it. We share one more glass of wine together and laugh about some of our childhood adventures before Becca has to go. “It was so, so good to see you. I’ll be back for a conference in two months, so I want to see you, Laura, Bella, and Sam! Tell him I’m mad that he couldn’t make it!”

“I will.” I chuckle, standing to give her a quick hug. She kisses me on the cheek, and I peck her back on hers. She leaves, and I stay to finish my drink. I hear a waiter’s voice rising near the entrance, and I look up to see Laura walking toward me, a determined look on her face.

“Laura!” I stand up in surprise.

“You,” she breathes, “are cheating on me.”

“What?” I ask in confusion. “What are you talking about?” I realize she must have seen Rebecca and misunderstood. In the back of my mind, I wonder how she knew where to find me, but I don’t dare ask. She looks furious, but she’s controlling her anger.

“Sir, do you need me to escort her out?” The waiter looks concerned.

“No, this is my wife,” I explain. I feel like an ass when the waiter gives me a knowing look and nod. I haven’t done anything wrong, but now I get the impression that everyone is trying to look the other way at my supposed guilt.

“Can I seat you, ma’am?” he asks quietly. Laura looks like she wants to refuse a seat, but the stares she’s received from other booths make her mutter her approval.

Once she’s seated, I see her blinking back tears. “Laura,” I say, reaching for her hand.

She draws it back and rests it in her lap. “I know what I saw,” she says biting her lip. “I heard you on the phone earlier, and I followed you to see if you were cheating, and now I know the truth.”

“Laura,” I repeat firmly. “It’s not what you think at all. That was Rebecca, an old friend from childhood. I’m not cheating on you with her. I wanted you two to meet, but I thought you were busy because you told me you were going out with Riley when you were leaving the office.”

She’s shaking her head, and I know she’s not hearing what I’m telling her. Now is not a good time to explain to her, because no matter what I say, she’s determined to believe otherwise.

“I believe what my eyes showed me,” she says stubbornly. Tears fall down her eyes unbidden, now. I reach across the table to brush them away, but she is too quick for me. She stands up and tucks her hair behind her ear in a gesture I know is to cover up her swiping at her tears in the process. “I’m going home,” she says quietly. She opens her mouth to say more but turns and leaves abruptly.

“Laura!” I don’t care that other patrons are staring at me. Most of the women are glaring, and the men look like they don’t want to be associated with me. The waiters are standing with their hands behind their backs and looking at the walls. I know this will be a topic of conversation in the back kitchen. I clench my fists and mutter a curse before throwing the tip on the table and going after her.

I get outside but don’t see any sign of Laura. I don’t see her car on the street, and wonder if she parked in the parking garage. She isn’t more than seconds ahead of me, and she couldn’t have gone far in the heels she’s wearing. I pause in the middle of the sidewalk while people move around me. It’s dark out now, but I would recognize her figure anywhere.

I spot her out of the corner of my eye, climbing into the back of a car. She did say she was heading home, so I run back to where my car is.

Desperation bubbles up inside me at the thought of her leaving. It seems like I’ve already lost her and I hate that feeling.

I try calling her, but her phone is going to voicemail. After several tries, I am about to call Riley when Sam calls. “Hey, what happened to Laura?” he demands.

“Did she call you?” I ask. I’m annoyed that Sam knows anything about us and further irritated that Laura would call him for consolation.

“Yes, she just called and told me she’s giving me her resignation,” Sam says flatly. “I should add that she was in tears when she was talking to me, so there wasn’t much else I could get out of her. So now I’m asking you, what happened to Laura?”

I grip the wheel at his accusing tone. “I didn’t do anything, if that’s what you’re implying,” I tell him. “She misunderstood what she saw, and she won’t listen to my explanation.”

“‘Misunderstood what she saw?’” Sam repeats incredulously. “So she caught you cheating on her?”

“I was not cheating,” I say through gritted teeth. “I was having dinner with Rebecca—”

“Rebecca!” Sam shouts. “You’re cheating on her with Rebecca?” Sam asks in disbelief. “Isn’t she married?”

“Would you listen to me, dammit!” I shout. “I’m not cheating on her with Rebecca or anyone else! I was having dinner with her.”

“So your wife saw you having dinner with a beautiful woman she’s never met, and you wonder why she thought you were cheating?” Sam’s voice is lower and dripping with sarcasm.

“If you accuse me of cheating one more time.” I mutter an oath.

“Whatever the hell you did, you made one of my best staff workers quit. I’d like an explanation for that if you don’t mind.”

“I’ll talk to her,” I say. “Stay out of my business.”

“You made it my business when you caused her to quit. If you had treated her the way she should be treated, none of this would be a problem.”

“And what the hell do you mean by that?” I ask. “You think I don’t treat her well either?”

“What I mean is that you married her and made everything tailor-made to fit your lifestyle. Your marriage is designed for your benefit, and it neglects a huge part of what marriage should be.”

“What the hell do you know about marriage?” I growl. “Have you ever been married?”

“No, but I know my marriage shouldn’t look like a business arrangement with a timestamp on it,” Sam shoots back. I know he’s right, but I’m not about to lose this argument too.

“We both agreed to those terms,” I point out. “And she signed willingly because she’s benefitting from it too.”

“Yes, you used her debt as a lure to marry her. Then, in not so many words, made emotions null and void in your agreement, and had her sign on the dotted line. Where does that leave her?”

I don’t have an answer for him because I know he’s right. I’m stopped at a light, and I slam my fist down on the steering wheel in frustration. I don’t hear anything on the other line, and wonder if Sam hung up.

“Not everyone is like your ex,” Sam says in a quieter voice. “Laura is different, and she needs someone who will love her and care for her like a husband should. Remember that.” I hear a click and know that he ended the call.

What does he mean by remember that? I’m nearing the house and wonder what I can tell Laura that will convince her that nothing is going on with Rebecca. But all I can think of are Sam’s last words to me before he hung up. I’ve been trying to push aside the jealousy that I have for Sam and Laura’s work relationship, and I’ve chalked it up to my own insecurities. But I wonder if Sam feels a lot more for Laura than he should

Well, I reason, he has a right to feel whatever he wants, since I put that damned end date on our relationship. I reach the house before Laura and try her phone again. It’s still going to voicemail. With nothing else left to do but wait, my mind takes me to places I’d rather not visit. Sam might like Laura, that is an uncomfortable truth I will have to confront at some point. But does Laura like Sam? I don’t know if I want to know the answer to that question.