Logan

"Thanks for picking me up."

I set my luggage in the trunk and closed it as Grace and I walked over to get into our seats.

I was betting on her picking me up.

Actually, hoping for her to pick me up.

I half-expected her to tell me to call a cab. Or go back to Chicago.

I buckled my seatbelt and snuck a look at her hands as she fastened hers. The most expensive thing I'd ever bought for a woman was still on her finger.

Today, at least.

"How long are you going to be here?" She asked curtly, keeping her eyes on the road as we left the airport.

"I got five days off."

I could have fought for more from my boss. But after our fight, I didn't want to infringe on her space.

I at least wanted to stay long enough to pay my respects to her parents.

We didn't see eye to eye, but they were good people. They didn't deserve what happened to them.

"When's the funeral?"

"Day after tomorrow."

She looked over to her left driver's mirror and set her blinker to merge over a lane.

I clenched and unclenched my hands.

When I first brought Grace home in college, my dad pulled me aside during dinner and told me to "not fuck it up".

That ship sailed.

But maybe I could turn it around.

"I'm sorry."

A long silence stretched between us as Grace merged onto the highway.

"For what?"

I knew she wasn't dumb. Or playing dumb.

"Those texts with Kali."

Kali was an employee at Grace's firm. We'd seen her at several company gatherings.

I know what most people would think - that I cheated. But that couldn't be further from the truth.

"Are you apologizing because you're sorry..." She stopped to take a deep breath. "Or because you're sorry for getting caught?"

My gut instinct was to yell. To swear. Just unleash all the rage at what she was implying.

"None of the above. I was trying to surprise you-"

"With an affair with my co-worker? Well, I'm surprised."

"It wasn't an affair, damnit!" I could feel the fury clinging to my words.

Grace jumped slightly in her seat at my tone of voice. I could tell she wanted to look over at me, but she couldn't let herself.

And that killed me.

"Can you just listen for a moment? While I tell you the truth." I tried to soften my voice, despite how disgusted I felt from her accusations.

"Fine." She agreed in a hushed tone.

I wasn't proud about what I was going to say. But it was a hell of a lot better than cheating.

"Kali and I were making plans with you."

A year ago, our sex life started to fizzle out.

Maybe it was work. Maybe it was the fact we'd been banging exclusively for 8 years.

Things got old. Less satisfying. I could see it in her eyes too.

"You'd told me a few years ago you were interested in a threesome. If we could find someone good - you know, clean and all that."

"So you picked my co-worker?"

"You said it yourself the last time we went to your company party - we only see her that time of year."

I hoped the wheels were turning in her mind. I knew she was a woman of fire and passion. It'd been a while, but she was still there.

"Did you ever meet with her? Are you still talking with her?"

"No. I stopped it all the moment you left."

She didn't answer me as she took the exit off the highway. I couldn't tell if she was pissed or trying to remember how to get back into town.

I'd only been here a few times during undergrad, but I wouldn't be able to tell anyone where anything was.

We continued our ride in silence for maybe 10 or 15 more minutes. Coming to a stop at the inn, Grace set the car in park and rubbed her eyes.

Either she was going to tell me to get my own room. Or I'd desperately hoped she'd want to jump my bones.

"Get your bags." She ordered before exiting the car.