Wrapped In My Wife(3)
“Are you okay, Dylan?” she asks, glancing over her shoulder at me.
I look down and see I’ve got a white-knuckle grip on the countertop. “Yeah,” I choke out, and then clear my throat. “Sure. Sounds great, Button.”
She turns back to the stove and stirs something in the pot. “I guess I’ll see how it goes. I haven’t worked in so long, I was kind of surprised they picked me. But I met the new director and he must have liked what he saw.” Again, she sounds a little hesitant and I can only imagine that’s because she’s nervous.
I want to black out from jealousy as I pull out my phone and send a message to my assistant. He sends me a bunch of texts back, but I ignore all of them. I’ve got new plans and none of them involve meetings.
“Are you hungry?” Emily asks, turning around with dinner in her hands.
“Like you wouldn’t believe,” I answer.
Chapter 3
Emily
I sneeze for what must be the twentieth time. The dust from all the books is driving my nose insane. I haven’t been down to the basement for a while and I’m still sneezing. I wiggle my nose, wondering if it’s red.
I packed my own lunch last night and sit down to open it up. When I get settled I take a bite of my sandwich and wipe my mouth. I can’t help but wonder if Dylan is enjoying the one I’d packed for him. I’ve loved packing my guy’s lunch since the boys started school. I’ve been coming up with new and different ideas every day. Today’s is tuna with cranberry and pecans. They all like tuna so I gave it a go and it turned out amazing. I wonder if I’ll have time to find something new to make for tomorrow.
It’s my first day and I’ve already been asked to stay late. I understand, this place is a mess. No wonder they had to hire a new director. It’s chaos and needs a complete restructuring.
I was excited when I started this morning feeling like I had a purpose after everyone else was off for their day. I had something to fill my day and thought I’d be contributing to something. Now, after spending the morning down in the basement, I think I’m bored and not really enjoying what I’m doing.
I close my eyes and shake my head. This is my first day and I’m already second-guessing it. I need to dive into this. I can’t just give up so easily. I need to give this all I have and try to be positive. Sure, I’m a little disappointed that I won’t be the one to greet the boys when they get home from school. Dylan said he’d pick them up, which means he’ll be home early tonight, something that hasn't been the norm lately. I’m just sulking because I’m missing those moments, but it won’t always be like this.
Dylan came around a lot faster to me getting a job than I thought he would. Even today when I told him they asked me to stay late he jumped at the chance to pick the boys up for me. He was super possessive of me last night and I can still feel him between my legs, but overall he’s been really supportive.
Picking up my phone, I smile when I see a text from my husband asking me where I keep the kids’ art supplies. Apparently, they’re working on a school project. I text him back where he can find them, wondering how big of a mess they’re about to make. I finish my lunch while searching the internet for new recipes. When I find one I like, I save it before I clean up my lunch.
A new text from Dylan dings on my phone. It’s a picture of the boys sitting at the dining table working on posters. At the top it says All About Me. My heart drops a little. I love the picture. My boys are the most adorable little men in the world, and I’m sad I’m missing this moment.
I reassure myself that they’re getting some one-on-one time with their dad right now. That I don't need to be by their side at every waking moment. They’re growing up, even if it’s faster than I want them to.
I send back heart emojis and tell Dylan to tell them I love them and will be home soon.
“Emily?” I look up at the sound of my name to see a man in slacks and a dark blue button-up shirt standing there. He looks to be about my age, with blond hair and light blue eyes.
I stand up and smile. “That’s me.”
“I’m Mark, the new director.” He reaches his hand out and takes mine in a soft but firm hold.
He doesn't let go for a long moment and I feel his fingers rub my wrist before he releases my hand. The handshake felt intimate, but I ignore it. He’s probably just friendly and I’m reading too much into it. My husband has made me think that everyone breathing is flirting with me. To say my husband is the jealous type is an understatement.
Not that I’m not the same. We’re all either of us has ever known when it comes to relationships. We’ve belonged to each other before we even really knew what love was. Dylan had the boys at school running the other way when they saw me. It makes me laugh now when I think back on it.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I grab my bag and phone.
“The pleasure is all mine.” He motions for me to follow him. “I was hoping to get here sooner, but I got caught up in a few meetings today.”
We walk down the hallway and he stops at a door with his name on it. He opens it to reveal a nice-sized office. He goes in and sits behind the desk.
“Nancy told me all you’ve gotten done today.” He smiles at me. I sit down in the chair in front of his desk, crossing my legs. “You knocked out a lot more than I thought you would. You’re a fast worker.”