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This seemed…intimate. I could tell that we were close. Maybe he’d fill me in on the details I was missing. He thought he lost me. So whatever had happened to me was really bad. “Did I almost die or something?”
He squeezed me one last time before releasing me from his embrace. “I’m under strict instructions to only talk about positive memories. Things from early on in your relationship with James to help jog your memories.” He tapped the side of my head. “You hungry?”
I shied away from his outstretched hand. “I could eat.”
“That’s the spirit.” His eyes traveled down my body, reminding me I was just in a t-shirt. “Pants. Now. You’re killing me, woman.”
I laughed and stepped back from him. “Aren’t you married?”
“Aren’t you? Stop flirting with me, it’s inappropriate.”
“I’m not flirting with you. If anything, you’re flirting with me.”
“Sure.” He winked at me. “I’ll be downstairs. Put on a bra too.”
Before I could respond, he was out the door.
What a weirdo. But I liked him. He was fun and carefree. The complete opposite of James.
***
“What’s your name again?” I asked as I scooted into the seat across from him at the table.
He laughed. But when he realized I wasn’t kidding, his smile vanished. “You’re shitting me.”
“I know we met the other day. I just…I met so many people and I…”
“Rob.” He cleared his throat. “Robert if you’re being an ass.”
“Okay, Robert.”
He laughed. “What have I done to earn that?”
“Nothing, I just wanted to see your reaction. Did you make this?” I lifted up the fork that was sitting next to my plate. Delicious looking pancakes, fresh fruit, hash browns…I practically started drooling before I got a bite into my mouth. So freaking good. It was like Rob knew all my favorite things.
“No, Ellen did.”
“Who’s Ellen?”
“James’ other wife.”
My fork clattered down onto my plate. “What? Are you serious? I’m in some sort of polygamy nightmare? I knew it. I knew all of this was too good to be true.” I waved my arm around the fancy room and then lowered my voice. “How many women is he married to?”
Rob had started laughing halfway through my rant and by the time I was finished he was doubled over laughing.
“Rob!”
“You’re still as gullible as ever,” he said through fits of laughter. “Geez, you should have seen your face.”
“It’s not funny.” I reached across the table and slapped his arm. “Does that mean it isn’t true?”
“James is head over heels in love with you and only you. I swear.”
“Good.” Good? I didn’t even know the man. Why was that a good thing?
Rob smiled. “Good.”
I took another bite of my pancakes. They really were delicious. “Wait, so who is Ellen?”
“Your housekeeper s***h chef s***h personal shopper s***h whatever.”
“You mean I don’t have to cook or clean or…”
“Yup. You’ve got it made.”
“Huh.”
He finished chewing as he stared at me. “What?”
“Nothing. I just…” I let my voice trail off. “I kind of like cleaning. And cooking. I’ve never pictured myself having a housekeeper.”
“Trust me, you love Ellen.”
“Where is she?”
“She cooked and ran. James is trying to make sure you’re not too overly stimulated.”
“So waking up to you in my bed wasn’t supposed to be jarring?”
“You tell me.”
I laughed. “It was.”
“In a good way?” He flashed me his charming smile.
“Oh yeah, in a great way.” Honestly, it hadn’t been so bad. He was much more fun to hang out with than James. “So I was thinking maybe I’d go for a run this morning.”
“Nah, you don’t want to do that. How about you do some yoga or something?”
I glared at him. “No, I want to go for a run. I’m craving the wind through my hair.”
“I think you’re supposed to be taking it easy for a few more weeks.”
“I need to get rid of all this fat.” I gestured toward my stomach and laughed awkwardly. Seriously, where did this belly come from? “I’m going to go try to find a pair of sneakers.” I stood up and started walking toward the stairs. I couldn’t wait to get some fresh air.
“Penny?”
“I’ll be right back.” I grabbed the railing.
“Wait.”
“It’ll just take a second…”
“You’re not allowed to leave the apartment.”
I froze on the first step. I’m not allowed? I thought about last night when it seemed like James was keeping me prisoner. Part of me wanted to believe it was the wine giving me an overactive imagination. But apparently my memory was perfectly intact from at least one day ago. I walked back over to the table. “What do you mean I’m not allowed?”
“You know what I mean…psh.” He was trying to backtrack. But he wasn’t getting off that easily.
“Honestly, I have no idea what you mean. Are you saying that I’m actually not allowed to go outside?”
He looked so sheepish. “Technically you are. I guess. I mean, of course. But James would prefer if you didn’t leave. And if you do…it should be with him.”
“Seriously? Why?”
He just stared at me.
“Why, Robert?” I emphasized his name as I glared at him.
“Please don’t call me that.” He scrunched his mouth to the side like the name Robert disgusted him.
“Look, I’m pretty sure I can ignore a few harmless paparazzi.” I hope. Yesterday had been stressful. The blinding camera flashes. The questions I didn’t know how to answer. “It’s not a big deal. I’ll be back in half an hour. I’m clearly out of shape.”
I turned to start walking back up the steps.
“It’s not the paparazzi we’re worried about.”
“Then what is it?”
“I should probably call James.”
“Rob, just tell me. What possible reason does James have for locking me up in here?” I felt like I was Rapunzel, locked in a tower. Except I was in a sky rise in the middle of the worst city ever. And my hair wasn’t blonde. Minor details.
“I’m going to call him real quick.”
“You do that. I’ll be looking for sneakers.” I jogged up the stairs. Ow. I touched the side of my stomach. When was the last time I exercised? I couldn’t possibly already have a cramp.
- Writer
