CHAPTER 3
*PRESENT*
“What is he doing here?”
Maya
I didn’t know what my husband was doing at my work. He came with a worried look, and I assumed the worst. Then, when he spaced out, I started to freak out. All the worst-case scenarios came to my mind. Car accidents, diseases, death.
Aaron was usually a happy guy, was always smiling, and had a sparkle in his eyes that had always made me crazy. He was an optimistic, kind soul who always tried to help people.
These days, I knew that I was taking a toll on him. He was not stupid and had realized I was avoiding him as much as possible. It was hard to continue avoiding him when he looked at me like a lost puppy. He was a confident guy while sweet at the same time, but now he seemed insecure.
He touched his hair while doing that thing with his mouth, as if he were biting inside his cheek. He was nervous, a fish out of water. I wanted to come closer and kiss him, stop that worried look, and mess even more with his hair.
“Aaron, we can have dinner at my office.”
His reply was only a soft good. I did this to him. I was making him doubt in us and himself. I wanted to shake him.
He followed me to my office. I sat on my chair while he was in front of me. There was a table full of documents between us. I started to put some in order so we could eat. He began to eat small pieces slowly.
“How was work today?” I asked.
“It was good. We have won the donor for the New Youth Center,”
he said casually.
I stopped with a stack of papers in my hands.
“You guys have?”
Aaron just nodded. I didn’t realize I was grinning like a madman until I caught Aaron’s eyes on my lip. He had a small smile on his face. “Why aren’t we celebrating right now? Aaron, this is big!”
“There were so many candidates with amazing proposals. We just got lucky.”
“Don’t be modest. You guys have done an amazing job, and yes, there were amazing ONGs, but that just means that yours deserves it.”
Aaron directed a non-profit business that gave kids with no resources—and their families—everything they needed to live, from food to education to psychological help. Aaron himself had a double degree in psychology and social work.
This win could bring more money and recognition to the cause, allowing them to do more good.
Aaron seemed content, with his lips turned up and his blue eyes shining. His dark hair was a bit messy from passing his hands, and he was more relaxed than when he came. He was wearing jeans and a white T-shirt with his favorite sneakers. The whole look screamed homey comfort to me.
He probably came home and took a shower, passing his hands through his—a little bit long—dark strands, then passing them for the rest of his toned body. Washing away the day and then drying all the little drops with one of our soft, ivory towels—
“Maya, are you alright? It seems like you zoomed out.”
“Sorry, what were you saying?”
“You have a bit of something on the corner of your mouth.”
I touched my mouth, trying to think about the last thing I ate. For how long I had—
All thoughts evaporated in my mind when I realized Aaron was in front of me. So close. He was serious, as if trying to solve a tricky math problem. His eyes focused only on my lips. He lifted his right hand, and his thumb brushed against the corner of my mouth. A shiver ran through me.
Was my husband going to kiss me?
His eyes lifted, and I saw mischief.
“Don’t worry, it’s just drool.”
I felt my cheeks getting red. “Aaron!”