“He did.” I blushed.
“Excellent. I got a few new pieces this week. You’ll have to come take a look.”
“I might do that. Where did they send your husband for work this time?”
She took a sip of her wine and waved her hand dismissively.
“I think he said Seattle. I guess there’s some kind of tech seminar.”
Billy was an IT guy for the company, and in order to keep up to date with the newest technology, he often went to all the available tech seminars. From what Ben had told me, Billy was one of the best IT guys the company had ever seen. He was working on a new program that could anticipate shifts in the market hours sooner by searching for relevant posts on the internet all over the world.
“Do you ever go with him?”
“I did when we first got married,” she shrugged. “But Billy only likes to stay long enough for the seminars and then comes right home, so it was never worth it.”
“Ben has been working late the last few nights, a new client, and I can’t stand eating dinner alone. I don’t know how I’d handle sleeping alone. I’m glad that he only travels a few times a year and we always turn the work trips into brief vacations.” The last time had been to New York City, and we stayed the entire weekend so we could do some sightseeing and spend lots of time in the giant tub in our room.
“It was strange at first, but as the years go by, I enjoy the times I get the enormous bed all to myself.” Cassie grinned, “On those nights, I go to bed wearing my ugly masks, my fluffy socks, and make sure my batteries are fully charged.”
We both laughed at that.
· · - ·?· - · ·
I woke up to the sound of my husband cursing quietly when he bumped into the dresser.
“Ben? What time is it?” I mumbled and sat up slowly.
“It’s late.” He slurred, “Did you move the dresser?”
“What?” I giggled.
“The dresser… It’s been fucking moved.”
“Are you drunk?” I scowled.
Plastered with a client?
I checked the time.
“Ben! It’s two o’clock in the morning!”
“Go back to sleep.” He stripped off his jacket and pants, left them in a pile on the floor, and stumbled into the bathroom. The shower kicked on a few seconds later, and I stared at the closed door with confusion.
His phone started ringing in his pocket, so I climbed out of bed to silence it.
Incoming Call: Peter-Work.
Why is his boss calling him from work at 2 a.m.?
“Hello?” I answered quietly.
“Oh, um, is Mr. Landon there?” a woman asked.
“Who is this?” I narrowed my eyes at the bathroom door.
“This is Ms. Reed. I’m just calling to make sure that Mr. Landon made it home safely. The clients kept everyone very late tonight, and Benji-Benjamin had quite a few drinks.” She giggled.
“I’m aware. This is his wife. He’s home, thank you for checking. I will make sure to let Peter know how dedicated you are to your job.” I said slowly. Something in her tone had me on edge.
