Chapter 2
Maybe it was the low hum of the hair dryer that dulled my nerves, because I blurted out my question before I could stop myself.
"Wilbur, is cheating really that exciting?" I asked.
The room fell silent for a long moment after I spoke.
I bit my lip as awkwardness creeped in.
I wished I could turn his head away and get back to drying his hair.
But he dodged my hand and let out a soft laugh.
"Exciting?" he echoed.
He took my slender wrist, brought it to his lips, and pressed a gentle kiss to it.
He said, "Honestly, it's not that exciting.
"But Queenie, your reaction is what makes it interesting.
"When we broke up for the first time, I told you you'd never fall for a loser like me.
"But after your family went bankrupt, you came back to me, almost desperate, saying you loved me and couldn't stand being apart.
"I'm naturally suspicious, so I never really bought it.
"That's why I kept cheating. Every time you went hysterical, then tried to act like nothing happened, I'd think that the proud Queenie actually loves me so much."
He stood up and gave my cheek a squeeze.
Then, using his index finger, he hooked the black panties from under the sofa cushion and tossed them onto the floor.
"So you found out I cheated again. What's your next move?" Wilbur asked.
He watched me, clearly amused.
I met his gaze and caught my own tear-streaked face reflected in his eyes.
It turned out that he knew I'd caught him.
The front door was loud when I came in. There was no way he didn't hear it.
Wilbur said, "So today, you didn't get angry and only cry?
"You walked out and even shot me a text. For a second, I thought maybe you finally stopped caring.
"Looks like you found a new way to stir things up today."
He looked like he'd finally gotten what he wanted. He was flashing a wicked grin as he gently brushed my tears away with the pad of his finger.
"Good girl. I went too far this time. Won't happen again, alright?" he said.
I wanted to pull away to escape his touch, but my feet felt glued to the floor.
Wilbur really was a cunning player in the business world.
He had a way with words. He was turning his obvious cheating into a twisted test of my love.
But after all this, even a rock would know how much I love him.
But he kept acting like he had no clue.
My lips quivered as I spoke softly. "What about you?"
He paused, as if he didn't get it.
"What do you mean?" he replied.
"Do you love me?" I asked.
He looked at me like I'd dropped the punchline to the world's biggest joke.
He said, "Of course I love you. How could I not?
"If I didn't love you, why would I have married you?
"Queenie, those other women are passing through. You're the only one who truly belongs by my side forever.
"Don't overthink it."
It turned out that he did love me.
I always thought he wanted to keep me trapped by his side, so he could watch me break down for him whenever he felt like it.
He straightened up and glanced at his phone.
He said, "Wally's back in the country today. I've got a dinner to attend, so I won't be home tonight.
"Call the housekeeper and have her make something light. You cried, so don't eat anything too spicy."
With that, he pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of my tear-wet eye.
Then he headed to the walk-in closet, changed into a fresh outfit, and came out holding a tie, handing it to me.
"Queenie, tie my tie for me," he said.
I took it numbly, looped it around his neck, and tied it for him.
He gave me another kiss and walked out the door.
Only after he left did I realize I'd automatically done what he wanted without even thinking about it.
I stood there for a long time.
Then I opened my bag and took out that card.
I dialed the number printed on it.
"Hey, got time tonight?" I asked.
I really wanted to test Wilbur to see if he actually loved me.
I wondered if his reaction would be entertaining as well.
*****
Imitating Wilbur, I set up my secret meeting right at home.
When Silas Chavez arrived, he brought a bouquet of flowers.
I opened the door. He handed me the flowers, then took my hand and kissed the back of it.
"Queenie, when you said at the bar you had a husband, I figured there was no chance for us," Silas said.
I thought he'd gotten the wrong idea, so I quickly pulled my hand back.
"I really do have a husband. If that's a dealbreaker for you..." I said softly.
Silas said, "It's not a problem, Queenie.
"Even though you're married, you still called me. I guess he must've done something to make you feel this way, right?
"If you want to talk about it, I'm here to listen."
It had been ages since anyone bothered to ask how I really feel. After a moment's hesitation, I ended up spilling my guts to this guy I'd only met twice.
I admitted, "Yeah, he cheated on me, too."
I emphasized, "It didn't happen just once."