on,” Calvin interrupted. “What are you blathering on about?”
I had actually been babbling on purpose to give Jane and Matthew both time to get their own expressions together. But Calvin’s terse interjection clarified something else.
“I was just telling Calvin that Olivia and I need to get back to the city,” I said, the words tumbling out of my mouth like a waterfall. “I’ve decided to go back to school this fall, and the term begins after Labor Day.”
I had no idea if anything I said was true or even possible, but I would do whatever I could to make it so. In that moment, I had decided, without a doubt, that I would never spend another night in the same house as this man if I could possibly help it. Matthew had given me an opening. I was shoving my way through it.
Jane’s mouth fell open again, this time with genuine shock. Matthew’s brows rose over his glasses, but he didn’t say anything. Calvin looked blindsided, but also kept quiet. The only thing my husband liked less than my disobedience, of course, was being embarrassed in front of others.
I turned to Calvin. “You were amazingly supportive. I so appreciate it.”
He melted, taken in by the sudden praise. “Yes, well.” He reached out and drew a knuckle down my arm. “Labor Day isn’t for another week and a half. Perhaps you could at least stay the weekend, then, princess.”
On his other side, Matthew started at the use of the nickname. The one I had snapped at him multiple times never to use.
Well. Now he knew why. In part, anyway.
His fists clenched tightly, and his forearms were a sudden twist of muscle.
I stepped away from Calvin’s touch as carefully as I could. “I’m afraid we have a lot to do, and we need to get up to Boston soon.”
“Boston?” Jane repeated, now visibly excited.
“You’re going all the way to Boston?” Calvin echoed.
I nodded, ignoring my husband’s stunned look. “Yes. When I was at school, I was at Wellesley. It doesn’t make sense to start somewhere else. Not when I only have a few semesters to finish.” I shrugged. “There will be online options in the spring, I’m sure, but for the fall, I’ll need to be there.”
“Do you have a place to stay?” Jane pressed on, suddenly looking excited. “Because if you don’t, you should visit my friends, Skylar and Brandon. You remember them from our wedding, and I know they’d love to have you and Liv, and—”
“Oh, I don’t know…”
“I could come with!” She grinned. “I love an excuse to see my bestie. Stay this weekend, and then next we’ll make a weekend of it when you have to take Olivia back to school.”
Matthew’s face was curiously unreadable. I only felt the walls closing in. It was becoming more apparent my grand plan to escape would have to wait a few more days.
I turned back to Jane. “I—I’ll think about it. I’m sure it would be nice to meet someone there.”
“I’ll call her. She’ll want you to stay, I’m sure of it. They are the best.” Jane was already pulling out her phone, and a moment later, had sent a brief text. “See, it’s done. No going back now.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could, Matthew cut in.
“Jane.”
We all turned to him. Calvin’s face reddened all over again, as if he had forgotten Matthew had witnessed the entire exchange, and now was furious at himself for allowing it.
“I should go,” Matthew said. “Mr. Gardner has a right to be here, and I don’t want to make things awkward between anyone.”
He leaned in to deliver a quick kiss to her cheek, and envy stabbed my gut. I wrapped my fingers together and kept my gaze fixed on the gravel, counting the pieces until Matthew and Jane were finished.
“I’ll call soon for drinks,” he called after her as she disappeared back into the house. Then he turned and tipped his hat at Calvin, who sneered visibly. “And, Mr. Gardner. I’ll see you in court.”
At the word “court,” Calvin’s face bloomed a sudden, virulent crimson. He looked like he wanted to punch a hole through one of the car doors with a hammy fist. Before I could stop myself, I flinched. I knew that look well. Very well.
“It was nice to see you again,” Matthew interrupted, holding his hand out to me for a polite shake.
Cautiously, I took it, only then feeling the sharp edge of a metal chip sliding between