Chapter 68
Archer
Ibeat Elle home on Sunday. The girls got stuck in standstill traffic.
I use this time to call Dr. Mondary. She picks up regardless of it being a Sunday evening. I tell her everything that happened this weekend and how I would like to up the regularity of my appointments.
She agrees that I need to return to a more frequent schedule, one similar to the beginning of the season. She tells me to call her office in the morning to arrange an appointment. I thank her profusely before hanging up.
I take a deep breath; I can come to the conversation with Elle with that already taken care of.
I walk over to the fridge and get out all the ingredients for dinner. I had checked Elle’s location earlier and saw she was about an hour out. I’ll need to let her know this dinner is on the house and not part of her Christmas coupon. I’m chopping up onions when Elle walks in.
“What are you wearing?” She looks at me incredulously.
“Onion goggles.”
“Onion… goggles…” She repeats, trying to comprehend the absurdity of what I just said. I quickly discovered when I cut onions I full blow ugly cry. I found an old pair of swim goggles from when I cross-train and put them on to cut onions. It works.
“I’m making dinner, on the house, no Christmas coupon cash in.” I grin. Truth be told. I don’t hate cooking now that I’m not only cooking for one.
“What are you making?”
“I’m making pork chops with caramelized onions and asparagus.”
“Sounds delicious.”
I put the knife down and wrap my arms around her. I know I messed up on Friday, I know she forgave me, but damn it still feels good to hold her. She melts in the embrace, her arms wrapping around my torso.
“Why don’t you shower, and then we can talk while I finish dinner.”
“Give me a few more minutes. I missed you.” Her voice slightly muffled against my chest. I pull her tighter against me. We stand there until she’s ready to let go.
“Okay, I’m going to shower and change into comfy clothes, then we need to talk, Arch.”
“I know.” I resume cooking while she’s in the shower. She must take what she dubs an ‘everything’ shower because she’s in there for a while. When she comes out she’s in her favorite pj set.
I set out a plate in front of her and pour her and myself a glass of wine. I sit across from her and we eat in silence for a few minutes, neither of us wanting to rehash Friday, but we both know it needs to be done.
“I want to start by apologizing for Friday.” I begin. “I was completely out of line. I asserted myself, invaded what was supposed to be your time and embarrassed you.”
Elle doesn’t say anything but listens intently.
“I forgave Cassie, however, forgiving her doesn’t heal those wounds overnight.
She really fucked up with my ability to trust, which has unfortunately bled into our relationship, on multiple occasions and that is on me and me alone.
” I take a steady breath. “I have asked Dr. Mondary to start seeing me on a bi-weekly basis, to try to work on my trust issues. It’s not fair for you to have to pay for the sins of Cassie. ”
Elle looks at me with a serious expression. “I accept your apology, Archer.” She takes a deep breath. “That is exactly what I needed to hear, thank you. And thank you for being pro-active and taking the initiative with Dr. Mondary.” Her serious expression morphs into something more relaxed.
“The girls had fun with you.” She pivots, a small smile gracing her lips.
I let out an embarrassed chuckle. “Well, I’m glad I didn’t completely ruin the night.”
“You didn’t,” She assures me.
We finish our dinner and then go to the couch to finish our wine and relax.
“Tell me more about Nashville, what else did you girls get up to?” I ask wrapping my arm around her and pulling her close.
I listen with rapt attention as well divulges all the details of the remainder of the girls’ weekend to me. She tells me about brunch, dancing on Broadway, and singing to Shania. She even shows me a video that Nia recorded of her and Vi singing a duet.
“It looks like you had a lot of fun.”
“We did, but honestly, I think it would be more fun to go with you next time.”
I pull her into a deep kiss, our first truly romantic kiss since Thursday morning.