Daniel’s jaw twitched. “I’m not afraid of you,” he said.
“Oh, really?” Flo’s eyes flickered to Lindsey. “Does she already know?”
“There’s nothing to know,” said Daniel, through clenched teeth.
“Sure, I guess you’re right,” Florence replied, still looking at Lindsey. “Assuming you’re aware that his marriage is a fake.”
Lindsey closed her eyes for a minute, letting out a long, deep sigh.
“Of course I know,” she said. “I’m his big sister, you lunatic.”
Now, everyone in the room was staring at her.
“We can talk about all that later,” said Lindsey, with a dismissive gesture. “The important thing is, are you going to get the fuck out of here and leave him alone for the rest of your natural life? Because if not, you’re going to buy yourself a world of hurt.”
“Fine,” Florence spat. Daniel let her go, roughly, and she slunk towards the door. “I hope you’re very happy together.”
And with that, she was gone.
Lindsey slammed and locked the door behind her.
“Unbelievable,” she said.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Daniel demanded, walking towards her. “It would have saved everyone a lot of trouble.”
“I don’t know,” Lindsey replied, indignant. “Does it matter? You’re the one with the fake fucking marriage, little brother.”
“I can’t believe you,” said Daniel, but there was no real hostility in his voice.
“I can’t believe you,” she countered. “Lying to your own sister. You should know by now that it never works. Anybody with half a brain can put the pieces together.”
“Well, for your information, I’ve got my citizenship now.”
“Good for you. You can fool the government, but you can’t fool me. Just keep that in mind, okay?”
She turned and began walking towards her room, but stopped halfway there and turned to look at both of us.
“Oh - by the way - you two realize you’re really in love with each other, right?”
After she shut the guest room door behind her, Daniel turned to me. “Ignore her,” he said. “She’s just trying to obnoxious.”
I stared at him. “That’s what you feel compelled to comment on? Really?”
“What else is there to say?”
I didn’t actually have an answer for him.
The buzzer went off again.
“That’s got to be the pizza, this time,” I said.
Daniel looked through the peephole carefully before he opened the door.
Once the pizza was paid for, he dropped it on the coffee table and sat down, opening the box and reaching for a slice. “Lindsey won’t mind, as long as we leave some for her,” he said.
“Stress eating?” I teased, taking a slice for myself.
“No,” he replied, indignantly, around a mouthful of cheese.
To this day, I’ll never know what possessed me to say the next thing that popped out of my mouth.
“You know, the last time we had pizza together it didn’t really end well.”
“I’m aware,” he said, drily.
We both chewed in silence for a moment.
“I know this doesn’t mean much now,” he said, “but if I had the chance to start over with this, I’d do things differently.”
“And marry someone else?” I suggested. He didn’t say no - but he didn’t say yes, either.
“I let the whole thing go to my head,” he said, after a while. “I actually thought…”
My fingers tightened around the pizza crust I was holding. “You actually thought…?” I prompted.
He shook his head. “No - no, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I’ve put you in enough unenviable situations as it is.”
“Hey,” I said, gently. “I’ve had a great time, being your wife.” I thought of the interview, and our fight. “Well…most of the time.”
He laughed a little. “That’s very kind of you to say.”
“I don’t just want to walk away from it prematurely,” I went on. “I mean, you know…in case something else comes up.”
He shut his eyes for a moment, and then spoke again. “I’m sorry I called you selfish,” he said. “I’m the selfish one. I have been from the beginning. You’ve been very sweet, and kind, and tolerant of the most awkward situation possible. I appreciate everything you’ve done. I really do. But Maddy-” he hesitated, and took a deep breath. “I can’t be around you anymore.”
My pulse was thumping deafeningly in my ears. “Why not?”