Instead, I used a vacation day.
Driving across town, I couldn’t stop smiling.
The small black gift bag rested on the passenger seat during the trip home.
I imagined his face when he opened it.
Maybe he’d tease me for spending too much.
Maybe he’d kiss me before thanking me.
I imagined his face when he opened it.
I parked in the driveway just after two.
Matthew’s car was there.
Odd.
He usually didn’t finish work until five.
I unlocked the front door as quietly as I could.
Then I heard my name.
My hand froze on the knob.
I heard my name.
Matthew stood in the living room, talking on the phone.
“…don’t worry.” He laughed softly. “She walked right into my trap back in high school.”
Every muscle in my body locked.
Then he spoke again.
The smile disappeared.
“I’ve been working on this since we were teenagers,” he added.
