40. Quentin
I should have been more relaxed than ever with my beautiful wife asleep beside me, my part in saving the company completed, but my heart gripped tight with panic.
Everything had felt so perfect today, from the way Rei looked at me walking down the aisle to the way she teased me at the dinner and our evening making each other feel good.
Why wouldn’t my body let me enjoy it?
A small voice in the back of my head reminded me that I’d never had this much to lose before.
A million possibilities flashed through my mind that all ended in Rei getting hurt somehow.
A former employee using her to exact revenge against me.
Jasper’s cult members holding her hostage for information.
Worse yet, everyday things I had no control over—a drunk driver taking her as a casualty.
A mass shooter finding her in a coffee shop, a movie theater, a sporting event.
Nowhere was safe for her but right here with me... and I was leaving in the morning.
I carefully peeled myself from the bed so as not to wake her, and fumbled through the dimly lit house to find my pants, cell phone in the pocket.
Sitting on the couch, only my underwear for clothing, I sent out a text.
Quentin: How do you do this?
Within moments, a response came.
Bryce: Are you asking me for advice on... consummating your marriage?
I smacked my forehead.
Quentin: No. How do you walk around with your heart outside of your body knowing all the evil that’s out there?
Bryce: Round-the-clock security helps.
I parted the front curtain, seeing the security detail’s vehicle parked in front of the house. It gave a small sense of relief to know protecting Rei wasn’t fully on my shoulders.
My phone vibrated again in my hand.
Bryce: What’s worrying you?
I shook my head at the screen, not sure how to answer. Writing was usually easier than speaking, but here I was, a grown man still fumbling for the right words.
Quentin: I just got everything I wanted and now we’re leaving for a trip.
Bryce: You’re saying you’d rather hang out with your wife than the four of us?
A wry smirk lifted my lips.
Quentin: No contest.
Bryce: I don’t want to leave my girls either.
I looked at my phone for a moment, sitting in his answer. Neither of us wanted to go. That already made me feel less alone. I glanced at the silver band on my finger. The simplest piece of jewelry I owned and yet the most impactful.
Quentin: I used to think nothing of getting on a plane to leave town for days or weeks at a time.
Bryce: Me too.
I let out a heavy breath, the weight of my anxieties wearing on me.
Quentin: I hate this.
All this time, staying silent protected my vulnerabilities. People couldn’t use them against me if they didn’t know what they were. Now, my enemies knew exactly where I was exposed. I swallowed down bile.
Bryce: Don’t waste tonight worrying about tomorrow.
I swallowed, looking toward the bed where Rei still slept.
He was right.
I set down my phone and slid back under the covers, curling against her bare body. If tonight was all I had with her, I’d savor each second until the sun came up.
My alarm went off at seven in the morning, and I hurried out of bed to turn it off. Rei grunted something and rolled over, twisting the blankets around her even more. She’d stolen the covers in the night, but I wasn’t mad. Sleeping next to her with or without extra covers was a gift.
Now that my phone wasn’t threatening to wake her up, I was tempted to crawl back in bed with her and ignore all my responsibilities. But there was something I wanted to do before I left.
So I went to get my things out of my bag and got to work.
Rei
I reached over for Quentin, and my hand came up empty.
Fear jumped into my throat, and I sat up, looking around the empty room. The clock on the nightstand said it was ten in the morning, and my throat got tight. Had I slept in?
I’d wanted to get up early and make him breakfast, but I must have forgotten to set the alarm on my phone or slept through it entirely.
One day in, and I was already the worst wife in the world.
I flopped back down, pressing the heels of my hands into my eyes, and something crackled under my back. What was that? I hadn’t brought snacks to bed.
Confused, I rolled over and saw a yellow sticky note.
Good morning, wife.
Check the bathroom mirror.
-Q
My lips curled into a smile as I studied his handwriting and then got out of bed. Since I was the only one home, I walked in the nude.
In the bathroom, a new note waited for me on the mirror.
You’re so beautiful. - Q
P.S. – check the closet.
My smile reflected back at me in the mirror as I walked to the bedroom closet. A few spare linens were on the shelves, and a lone garment bag hung from the rack with a yellow note stuck to the front.
My wife deserves to ride home in comfort and style. -Q
Check the fridge next. (Yes, after you look at the fit, because I know you’ll want a peek.)
My cheeks were hurting from how sweet this all was. I unzipped the garment bag and gasped at the contents, a white cashmere matching set from one of my favorite designers. The material felt so lush and soft under my fingertips that I got it out and put it on immediately.
Feeling like luxury in my new, perfectly-fitting outfit, I padded to the kitchen and opened the fridge. On the top rack, there was a takeout box with a Golden Café sticker on it. Near the label was another note.
I’d love to cook breakfast for you, but my mom already told you it’s better if I don’t. Heat for thirty seconds. And check the coffee pot. -Q
My lips twitched as I took out the box and noticed the contents were exactly what I’d had on our date at Golden Café. Stuffed French toast and candied bacon with a side of maple syrup. My mouth was already watering, and my stomach growled encouragingly.
After taking out the syrup container, I popped the box in the microwave and went to the coffee machine. But instead of coffee in the glass pot, I saw hot water with chai-flavored tea bags inside.
There’s a milk frother by the coffee pot if you want it. Milk is in the fridge. Enjoy your meal at the table. There’s a beautiful view out the bay window. -Q
The microwave went off, and while the food cooled, I made my own version of a dirty chai.
Butterflies danced in my stomach realizing that Quentin had all the money in the world, but he hadn’t just bought me expensive items and called it a day; he’d used his time and thoughtfulness to show me that he cared.
I took my coffee to the table and then got my food from the microwave. When I set the tray down, I realized there was one last note. My lips parted as I saw what it said.
I’ve fallen for you, too.