Me: Was that a gunshot?
Delete.
Me: What happened?
Delete.
Me: Tell me you’re alive.
Send.
Big Guy: I’m alive.
Big Guy: Get some sleep, Wife. We’ll talk again tomorrow.
Me: You still alive?
Delete.
I roll over and scream into the pillow.
All night I tossed and turned. Dreams of witnessing Dominic getting riddled with bullets plagued my sleep. So now I’m tired and cranky and, worst of all, worried.
“Fuck you!” My shout is muffled. But it’s not like it matters. There’s no one here to hear me.
I flop back over and stare at the ceiling. I need a distraction.
With an idea in mind, I pick my phone back up.
Me: Can I have some friends over tonight?
Send.
I make a face. I sound like I’m asking if I can go outside to play.
Me: For dinner. I’ll order something.
Send.
Me: With my own money.
Send.
Me: Even though I’m sure your stubborn ass will insist I charge your card or account or whatever you have set up with the front desk.
Send.
I force myself to roll out of bed so I stop sending more texts. And it’s early enough that Dominic should still be asleep, so he probably won’t reply for a while.
I’m halfway to the bathroom when he replies.
Big Guy: Yes, your stubborn-ass husband will insist you use the payment I already have set up.
Big Guy: And yes, you can have your friends over any time you want. But Rob has a standing order to toss any men who try to visit you off the roof, so make sure your friends don’t bring anyone they don’t want dead.
I stare at my phone.
Me: Crazy much?
Send.
Big Guy: You seem to bring it out in me.
Big Guy: Have fun with your friends, Angel. We’re about to board a plane for Arizona. Be a few more days yet.
A suspicion niggles in my mind.
Me: Are you flying commercial?
Send.
Big Guy: No. I usually don’t.
Big Guy: Most of the time I use flights to catch up on sleep. But I can’t do that on a commercial plane because I don’t know who’s around. Who might want to kill me.
I hold my breath.
Me: You slept on our first plane ride together.
Send.
Big Guy: I know. It was a first.
Big Guy: Something about you made me feel safe.
I press the phone to my chest and swallow.
Me: I know the feeling.
Send.
Big Guy: Did you have fun last night?
Me: I did. The bouquet of flowers was a nice touch.
Send.
Big Guy: I can’t have your friends thinking poorly of me.
Me: Pretty sure the eight hundred dollars of sushi you had delivered took care of that.
Send.
Big Guy: I’m glad you had a good night, Angel.
Big Guy: Did you enjoy your dinner?
I look down at the mostly empty platters on the coffee table.
Me: I did. Thank you for ordering it.
Send.
Big Guy: Next year I’ll be home for Thanksgiving, and we can host some of my family if you’d like.
My eyes lock on the last bite of pumpkin pie.
I’ve never really cared about the holiday before, but the idea of celebrating it with Dominic twists something inside my chest.
Me: Okay.
Send.
Big Guy: How is it so fucking hot here?
Me: Baby.
Send
Me: But feel free to bring some of that warm weather back home with you.
Send.
Home.
Fuck.
Big Guy: Heading into Mexico. Should just be one more night.
Me: Surprised they let you in and out of the country.
Send.
Big Guy: Let me. Cute.
Me: How’s Mexico?
Send.
Big Guy: A waste of time. I’ll be home tomorrow. Keep your calendar open. We’re going to dinner.
