I didn’t want to get up to the alarm, but I knew that I would be seeing Payne. I chose a red skirt today with a black shirt that had a vintage flair to it. I even managed a curl in the front and some red lipstick before I left the house. I wasn’t seeing a lot of Dad these days with our busy hours, but I swore that I’d be home for dinner. Payne even agreed to come, though we weren’t certain how that was going to go.
We worked together in the office today since he had court in the morning. There were several kisses throughout the day, and we even got away for lunch together, using the excuse of the upcoming trial to Melody. She understood since we had the same position for different attorneys. We made a point of leaving at five to go to the house for dinner. I arrived first and pulled the salmon out of the fridge to season it before I put it into the oven. Dad and Payne walked in together laughing as I looked over with a forced smile. “Hey, sweetie. What are you making?”
“I was thinking baked salmon, some Brussel sprouts, and a salad? It’s weird not being home during the day now.” I met Payne’s gaze for a fleeting second, blushing as I turned towards the food again.
“Payne is pleased with your work,” Dad said as I blushed further.
“Good. I like the job,” I replied as the oven beeped. I used that one for the fish and warmed the other one for the vegetables, shaking them with oils and seasonings before shaking them out on a cookie sheet. While those cooked, I prepared a salad and poured some wine.
The men were outside and I stared dreamily at Payne when they weren’t looking. I couldn’t help but wonder what it might be like to cook him dinner in his kitchen as we talked about our day together. I watched as he glanced over a few times, keeping it short. This was so hard, and I focused on dinner as I realized the tragic side to this affair.
I was quiet throughout the meal as they talked and Dad glanced at me. “Are you okay?”
“I guess I’m just tired,” I lied as I took the last bite of dinner and set my fork on the plate. I stood and grabbed it, emptying the food into a container and stuffing it into the fridge. I glanced outside to see both of them looking towards the house, but I grabbed my purse and walked up the stairs to my room. I changed into pajamas and rested against my pillows as I stared at my ceiling. I didn’t feel like a grown up right now. I felt like a girl who was facing a broken heart.
I fell asleep and didn’t wake up until my alarm went off. Neither of them came up last night, but I did see the light flashing on my phone indicating some messages. They were from Payne, and I read them with a soft smile. He missed me last night and hoped that I was okay. He wanted to kiss me good night.
After I showered and dressed to go downstairs, I found Dad sipping coffee. “Morning, Vie. Were you all right last night?”
“I was tired. I didn’t think I’d fall asleep going upstairs to change but then I woke up to my alarm. I guess I am adjusting to working.” I poured my own cup and sipped it slowly as I considered my words. “Did you enjoy dinner?”
“It was good to be around you two again. You’re both at the office so much now, and I miss the dinners here. I know you need to work, that you want to work, but I liked that. I’d like to make it more of a habit. Can we?” He asked as a lump filled my throat.
Dad wanted to spend time with us, and we wanted to spend time fucking each other now. How messed up was that? “Of course, Dad. I think it’s better to be home relaxing more too.” I went over to hug him, telling Dad that I’d be home earlier tonight. I knew that Payne wanted to go to his place again and continue with what we were doing and I fought internally with myself as I drove to work with tears in my eyes.
I walked to my desk, arriving before Payne as I set my purse into the drawer. I got the same coffee that I always did, but there wasn’t the joy in it today. The night and morning had been awful, making me want to find a way to fix it and soon. I warmed up my computer and sat down to get logged in so I could just work on some reports on some research that I would be heavily involved in. I knew that Payne was in court this morning so I’d get some peace.
He came in after lunch looking drained and a bit overwhelmed. His eyes were wild as they searched for me, making me feel the guilt about keeping my phone tucked away today. I was only using it for music today, and every other noise was on silent. “Are you okay?” Payne asked softly as he walked up to the desk as I stared at him.
“Yes. I was tired just like I told Dad this morning,” I snapped as my hand slipped over my mouth in shock. “How was court?”