Welcome back. She kissed my cheek, the kind of casual peck you give a roommate, and moved toward the fridge. I'm starving. Did you eat already? I made dinner, I said.
It's warming in the oven. Her face brightened. You're the best. Let me shower first. I feel like I haven't been clean in days.
She disappeared upstairs. I heard the water running. Heard her humming something cheerful. 15 minutes later, she came down in comfortable clothes, hair damp, looking refreshed and utterly at ease. We sat across from each other at the table.
I'd made her favorite lemon herb chicken with roasted vegetables. She ate with enthusiasm, telling me vague stories about team building exercises and strategic planning sessions. No names, no specific locations, just pleasant corporate abstractions. "How was the hotel? " I asked. "Beautiful," she said.
Right in the mountains. The altitude was rough the first couple days, but we adjusted. We She blinked. The team, the four of us, right? I said, the leadership team, she nodded, taking another bite.
Sarah, Jennifer, Michelle, and me. It was nice bonding with them outside the office. I let the silence stretch for a moment. Then I slid a printed photograph across the table. It was from a hotel's Instagram account.
A promotional post featuring their honeymoon suite package. The same suite listed on her booking confirmation. Angela looked at it, her fork freezing midway to her mouth. What's this? Your hotel?
I said calmly. The Inker Hienda Uru Bomba five-star resort couple's packages romantic getaways. She set the fork down slowly. Owen, I can explain. I'm sure you can, I said.
But before you do, I need to ask you something. Her throat moved as she swallowed. Okay. I leaned forward slightly, keeping my voice level and quiet. Do you know what Kyle is sick with?
The color drained from her face like someone had pulled a plug. Her mouth opened, closed, open again. What? Kyle Sheffield, I said. Your junior associate, your travel companion.
Do you know what he's sick with? I don't. He's not. She stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. What are you talking about?
He's not sick. I barely Angela. I didn't raise my voice. Didn't need to. Do you know what he's sick with?