Chapter 12 Nora
Chapter 12 NORA
“ T he loo.” What a funny name for the bathroom. The bathroom where Aiden was headed, where he had previously changed, the bathroom where—
“Oh, my God!” Nora shouted.
Aiden stopped dead on his tracks, concern on his face. “What happened?”
“Our clothes! I totally forgot about them.”
Aiden looked down at his outfit and, with an impish face, said, “Should we take them off?”
A peculiar noise left Nora’s lips—half-laugh, half-raspberry. Aiden couldn’t be serious and, even if he was, what else could she do but laugh? However, she couldn’t help but imagine the impish-faced Aiden replaced by a serious-looking Aiden pulling his shirt off slowly— so slowly—revealing a trail of dark hair on his stomach, then—
Get it together, Nora . “The wet clothes, silly. I forgot to put them in the dryer.”
“Ah! Of course. No need to worry, I can—”
She rushed ahead of him to retrieve his damp clothes and made a quick trip to her bedroom to pick up her own, then stomped down the two sets of stairs to the basement.
With a deep breath, Nora checked the pockets—and the care label—of Aiden’s jacket before placing it in the dryer, wondering if she’d find something more interesting than coins. She felt slightly guilty, but that guilt turned into excitement when she found a note. Feminine handwriting—now somewhat smeary—revealed itself as she unfolded it.
Meet me at 9. XO, Becky.
The excitement became disappointment. Obviously, this Becky had to be the same person who’d texted him “Where r u?” earlier that night. Or maybe this Becky was his wife... although he wasn’t wearing a ring. Not all married couples wore rings, though.
Meet me at 9. XO, Becky.
Nothing overly affectionate in the note. Except for the XO. Perhaps Nora was reading too much into it. Could Becky be a friend? Or perhaps this meeting at nine was work-related? Was it nine in the morning? In the evening? Maybe that’s why he got a text earlier asking his whereabouts.
Still, something didn’t sit well with Nora. Becky could be his girlfriend. She felt deflated.
When she returned to the living room and saw Aiden again, something stirred in her chest. His wine glass gleamed, reflecting the flames in the fireplace, and, when he turned his head to look at her he smiled, his eyes sparkled. Nora wished he didn’t have such a beautiful smile—it was a smile that didn’t belong to her.
Could a magazine quiz really make you fall in love?
Thunder boomed, and reality struck Nora. Of course not. That was nonsense.
On the radio, Elvis crooned. Aiden’s eyes flitted to the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band poster on the wall. “Being a huge Beatles fan, I imagine you don’t fancy Elvis very much, do you? Even if he can’t help falling in love with you.”
This is wrong , Nora thought. Until this moment, she’d had nothing keeping her from flirting with him—besides her own misgivings about one-night stands. But now that she knew he may be taken, the idea repulsed her—not only because she didn’t want to get involved with a committed man, but also because... what kind of person would openly flirt with someone when they may have a significant other waiting for them at home? She would never inflict upon another family the hurt she’d suffered from her father’s infidelity.
Nora tried to focus on Aiden’s question. “It’s not like that. I know very few of Elvis’ songs, that’s for sure, but liking one artist doesn’t mean disliking the other.” She went on, “People have this image of a rivalry between them, but it’s not true. They even met once.”
Aiden raised his eyebrows. “Is that so? When?”
“That I’d have to look up.”
“Oh, the wonders of modern technology,” Aiden said and waved his phone at her.
Against her better judgment, she scooted closer to him.
“August nineteen sixty-five. You’re brilliant!” Aiden said excitedly. He showed her his phone screen, confirming the meeting.
Then a picture of a curly-haired blonde popped up, along with a formal name—Rebecca Saunders. Becky.
Aiden quickly tapped the phone, ignoring the call.
Suddenly, Nora regretted everything—meeting him, bringing him into her home, the questionnaire, the wine. She regretted the way her heart raced whenever he smiled, and the way her breathing sped up when their eyes met. She regretted opening her life to him. Getting to know him so well through silly questions. And she regretted how his answers created the false impression of a beautiful heart. Nora had no intention to be “the other woman.” Again.
Aiden, we need to stop this. It’s not fair to your wife. Or girlfriend. Or whatever Becky is to you , she thought.
No.
I think you should leave , she wanted to say. Becky must be waiting for you, and the weather should be clearing up soon.
As if on cue, a clap of thunder crashed. The damn storm always seemed to know exactly what she was thinking.
“That was Becky, my nanny. Let me just send her a quick message before she sends Scotland Yard to track me down,” Aiden said.
My nanny .
Nora couldn’t hide her shock. “Isn’t she...” Then something else dawned on her. “Wait, you have kids?”
Was Aiden having an affair with the woman who took care of his children? It was worse than she’d imagined.
“What?” Aiden shook his head, with a look of startlement that seemed genuine. “Oh, my nanny . Pardon me, it’s an inside joke. She’s my coworker and good friend and must be beside herself with worry.”
“So she’s not your girlfriend?” Nora blurted before she could hold her tongue.
“Becky?” Aiden let out a hearty guffaw. “Oh no, she’s married. I may be single, but I’m not a home-wrecker. Give me a second, all right?”
Aiden typed with only his pointer finger—not trying to hide what he was writing.
I’m fine. I’m with a friend. Will get to the airport in time for the flight. Be safe . This done, he picked up the magazine again.
“Shall we move on?”
“Can you just... give me a second please?” Nora said. “I need some water.”
“Are you quite all right?” Aiden’s eyes followed her as she moved towards the kitchen.
“Yeah, I’m good. Just thirsty.”
In the kitchen, Nora rested her hands on the counter and breathed deeply, anchoring herself so as not to start spinning and jumping around, her heart pounding wildly.
Becky was not his girlfriend. He didn’t have a girlfriend.
She didn’t have to regret anything about tonight.
Carrying two glasses of water, figuring Aiden might be thirsty himself, Nora went back into the living room.
And she put on her best, sexiest smile.