AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Not looking up from what he’s reading on his computer, Thomas hmmms.
Thomas really needs to fix things between George and him. Even from my seat in front of Thomas’s desk I can feel tension between them.
‘Hi, George.’ I give him a small wave as if he can’t see me sitting inches from where he stands.
George’s eyes soften for a moment – ‘Hi, Alice’ – before spinning on his loafers and stalking out of the office.
If Chase were here, he’d have already settled their dispute. Sighing, I rack my brain for a way to facilitate an olive branch between the two of them when I catch sight of my name on the envelope. ‘What’s this?’ I spin it around to face me.
Thomas glances away from the computer, his hand freezing over his mouth when he sees the envelope in my hand.
I read the sender’s name, ‘Fielding & Church Law Firm’.
He nods, as if coming to a decision and swivels his chair to face me. ‘Those are the papers I had my lawyer draw up.’
‘Oh.’ Pulling the metal sides of the closure up, I unfold the opening and slide out the papers. ‘Is this the non-disclosure and post-nuptial you talked about earlier?’
Thomas stares at the papers. ‘Yes.’ He looks uncomfortable. More so than usual.
Confused over his reaction, I grab his fountain pen off the desk. ‘I’m actually really glad this came.’
‘You are?’
Uncapping the pen, I follow the yellow tabs stuck at various points in the contract to flip through each page. ‘Yes. Because even though I can’t say that I wouldn’t do it again, I still feel really, really bad forcing you into all this.’ I sign my name and initial at each indicated line as I talk.
When I finish, I cap the pen, placing it back perpendicular to his desk blotter.
He frowns at the papers. ‘You didn’t read it.’
Spinning it back around to face him, I slide the contract toward him. ‘Should I have?’
His eyes narrow. ‘You should always read over any legal document before signing it.’
‘You helped me even though I blackmailed you. Out of the two of us, I’m the least trustworthy.’
Thomas scoffs.
‘And if signing something that ensures I won’t spend money that I had no intention of spending in the first place, or saying things I’d never say will possibly make you less mad at me, then I’ll sign my name all day.’
He continues staring at the papers, but his frown is different. More contemplative than angry. ‘I’m not mad at you. I haven’t been for a few days.’
‘Really?’ The weight on my shoulders eases. ‘You should really tell people those things, you know? I kept freaking out about when Kayla comes back and Mary and I move out how awkward things at work would be with you angry at me.’
Once more his frown changes, but this time I can’t define it.
The clock on the wall chimes.
I rise, tapping the desk when he continues to stare. ‘Let’s get back to the house and celebrate you not being mad at me with lasagne.’
* * *
Thomas
‘Let’s use this pink brick instead.’ Mary holds up a Lego from the bin of pieces my mother bought her at the toy store.
It’s been four days since my house was infiltrated by Alice, a tiny dictator and a hairless judgmental rodent. And while my days at Moore’s have been surprisingly pleasant what with my employees finding the fact I married their co-worker endearing, I’ve worked late every night this week to avoid the chaos waiting for me in my previously well-ordered home.
But not tonight.
