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“Let me have the bag. I’ll get the car and meet you downstairs. The coffee mugs are on the counter.”
After he leaves, I check to make sure I have all our toiletries and my makeup in the small shoulder bag I have. I’m in such a hurry that I almost forget to take my birth control pills with me. Downstairs, Noah is waiting in the SUV. I hand him the travel mugs while I put my seatbelt on, and we’re off.
It’s a few minutes after six and the traffic isn’t heavy yet. I’m glad because Noah gets grumpy when he must sit in traffic. The 495 isn’t bad by the time we get there, and we’re making good time. I’m tired and I keep yawning which is causing Noah to yawn. He tells me to stop and I stare out the window so he doesn’t see me do it.
When we reach Sunrise Highway, the traffic starts to slow, and by the time we hit Hampton Bays, we’re crawling. Noah taps his nails against his travel mug and I know he’s annoyed.
I wrap my hand around his thigh and knead it, moving up closer to his crotch. Usually, he’s game but this time, he grabs it to stop what I’m doing. I withdraw my hand and put it in my lap. I don’t realize it, but I’m biting the corner of my lip.
“Lexi, stop it,” he says softly.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve driven.”
“It’s no big deal. We have a few miles to go, and then we can have some breakfast.”
Breakfast, I’m starving, and today is waffle day. If we weren’t stuck in traffic, I would be home making Noah waffles, our Saturday morning tradition. Finally, the traffic starts to move and we’re in Southampton. It took us nearly three hours, but we can have a leisurely meal and relax before the party.
Noah drives around until we find a diner. The parking lot is only half full, so I know we can get a good seat. Before we get out, he pulls my arm and leans in to kiss me.
“I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“I know. I understand.”
He lets me go, and I get out of my side of the car. We walk hand in hand into the Seaside Diner and we’re seated immediately. The booths are old and the green Formica on the tables could use a makeover, but the place is clean. There’s a heavenly smell in the air, probably muffins which is making my mouth water.
After the pink uniform clade waitress serves us coffee and we place our breakfast order, Noah reaches across the table to take my left hand. He starts playing with my engagement ring, and I know something is worrying him.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing, except I might have to go on another business trip.”
I try to pull my hand away, but he holds steadfast.
I clench my jaw. “Why? I thought you were hiring a couple of employees?”
“I am. I did, but they need to be trained.”
“Oh, so this is a training trip?”
“That and a work trip. I want to make sure my employees use the procedures I set in place for our clients. I don’t want to be away from you either.”
“When is this trip taking place?”
“Next week. The client is making final travel arrangements. Once those are in place, I can set up an itinerary for my staff.”
“Is this going to be all summer? We have arrangements to make for the wedding, and I prefer not to make them by myself.”
“Lexi, it’s only for the next couple of weeks.”
“Oh, so now it’s a couple of weeks? Next, you’ll tell me it’s a couple of months.”
I pull my hand out of his grasp and start chewing on my lip again. Noah’s face clouds and he reaches over to dislodge my lip from my teeth. I pull my head back because I’m angry with him and don’t want to feel his touch. The look on his face says it all, he’s hurt, and I begin to feel like an asshole.
“Lexi, please. Just bear with me for a little while.”
“I’m trying, but I love you. It’s hard when you’re away.”
Noah smiles, but it’s lost on me. I’m upset, and I concentrate on pouring sugar into my coffee. I lose count and put too many packets in, making the hot liquid sickeningly sweet. The waitress comes with our food and I ask her for another cup of coffee. Noah digs into his waffles but as hungry as I am, all I do is pick at mine.
