Chapter 2

He frowned but followed me.

I waited until he'd stopped in front of me, then lowered my voice.

My hands were still shaking. The edge of the paper rustled with each breath.

"I don't want to argue in front of them. Change the ticket back, and then we'll talk."

"I've already changed it once. Changing it again will cost more."

"Why didn't you think about the money the first time?"

"That was different."

"How?"

He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I already promised I'd take her. She's finally leaving the house again, buying clothes. How am I supposed to tell her now?"

"The same way you told me."

"Do you have to make this so difficult?"

I slapped the itinerary onto the counter.

"You canceled my trip!"

The living room went quiet.

I drew a breath, but I still couldn't keep my voice down.

"I was showing you my dress on Wednesday. Last night, I asked you which restaurant we should choose for our anniversary dinner. You were sitting right across from me. Why didn't you say anything?"

"I was trying to find the right time."

"You'd already printed her luggage tag before you told me!"

Mark looked toward the kitchen doorway.

Amy stood there, with Diane behind her.

"I don't have to go," Amy said.

"Good," I said immediately. "Then he can change it back."

She froze.

Mark turned to me. "Did you have to say it like that?"

"She said she didn't have to go."

Amy tightened her grip on the brim of her hat, her voice dropping.

"I don't. But I've already made arrangements, and I bought the clothes. Some of them were on sale. I can't return them."

I stared at the hat in her hands.

My dress was still at the tailor's. I'd paid a rush fee to have it ready before we left.

Diane came over and placed a hand on Amy's back.

"She finally has something to look forward to. Do you have to ruin it?"

My face burned.

"I was the one who planned this trip!"

Diane didn't answer. She turned to Mark instead. "The ticket's already changed. Leave it alone. You can take Claire out to dinner when you get back."

Then she turned away, as though that settled everything.

I stepped in front of Mark.

"Look at me."

He raised his eyes.

"Are you going to change it back?"

"We can take a trip on our own another—"

"Yes or no?"

He was quiet for a moment.

"Let Amy go this time."

My grip on the papers slowly loosened.

He knew this was our anniversary trip.

He remembered how long I'd saved for it. He knew how long I'd been looking forward to it.

I'd spelled everything out, and he still wouldn't change it back.

Amy gave his sleeve a little tug.

"Are we still booking the shore excursion? Tonight's the deadline."

Mark didn't answer.

Diane looked at the grocery bags on the table.

"Let's eat first. Amy barely had any lunch."

I looked at the package of chicken sticking out of the bag.

I'd gone out of my way after work to buy it.

Mark had texted that afternoon to say his mother and sister were over and asked me to pick up extra.

I lifted the bags and put the milk and chicken in the fridge.

Diane pulled out a dining chair and sat down. "Don't make the chicken too spicy. Her stomach's upset."

I shut the fridge and picked up my car keys.

"I'm not cooking."

Mark stepped toward me. "Where are you going?"

"Out."

"We're not done talking."

"I asked if you'd change it back. You answered."

I headed for the door.

Behind me, Diane sighed.

"Twenty years of marriage, and she still has that temper."

Mark said nothing.

I closed the door and got into my car. It took me two tries to fasten my seat belt.

I hadn't started the engine when my phone lit up.

Amy had sent me a screenshot of a moving-company booking.

"They're delivering my things on Thursday. You'll be home, right? Mark said you'd let them in for me."

I stared at the screen.

A second message appeared right after it.

"Also, you'll need to move the desk out of the home office first. My bed won't fit."