Page 145 of Cautious Love

“I got you the burger.”

“Thanks,” she rasps.

The air strains in the space between us. It feels like it’s stretching and getting thicker at the same time. It’s unbearable, yet I have to take it.

“So how much do I owe you?” she asks before taking a bite of her burger.

I shake my head, noticing the absence of her wedding ring. “Nothing.”

She frowns. “This isn’t a date, Ledger.”

I drop my chin. “Friends can still buy each other dinner,” I mumble.

She purses her lips and focuses on her burger.

“So, how was your day? Anything weird happen?” I ask her.

She shakes her head, but won’t look me directly in the eye. “I’m sorry I just left.”

I wince and take a sip of water. “It’s fine.”It’s really not, but I have to keep it together, and I highly doubt you want to hear that I’ve been worried sick about you since you left and I feel entirely helpless, a little angry, and I miss you like crazy.

“How was your day?” she asks.

I shrug. “Busy, lots of paperwork.”

She rolls her eyes. “Seriously? That’s all I get?” she asks.

I shrug, which seems to be the only thing I’m good at these days. “What do you want me to say?”I can’t tell you what else I’m doing.

“I don’t know. Did you pull over an old lady for a ticket? Did you hear anything about Grey? Did some kids get busted for a field keg?”

I smile. “No, unfortunately, none of the above.”

“What a shame.”

“So, what are you going to get first, a TV or a couch?”

She hums and looks at the empty room. “I don’t know. I could keep using my computer for watching things. Not that I watch much. I’m thinking probably a couch.”

“You could put a nice sectional there,” I say pointing to the corner of the living room.

“I don’t think I need anything that big,” she says.

“Can you paint? Everything is pretty white.”

She huffs. “What if I like white, Ledger?”

I chuckle. “I guess you enjoy living in insane asylums.”

“What if I do?” she snaps.

“Then, by all means, Shy, keep it white. But maybe you should get that poster with a cat and a balloon that says hang in there.”

She snorts. “I don’t know where to get one of those. Does Darla’s sell them?”

“I’m sure they’re special order.”

She giggles and glances at the box with chocolate cake in it. I jerk my chin, telling her to go ahead. I only got it for her. I never intended to eat it.