the steps, waiting as I unlocked the porch door, then the inner door. He followed me in, setting down my bag.
I dropped my keys in the bowl, suddenly tense and unsure. I had no idea what to say to him.
He studied me for a moment. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“You seem…distracted. Or upset.”
I sighed. “A bit tired.” I lifted one shoulder, unsure how to explain the unease I was feeling. “Maybe a little sad the weekend is done. Back to reality now,” I added lightly.
He stepped closer, sliding an arm around my waist. Before I could protest, he drew me close, enveloping me in his warmth. The clean scent of him filled my nose, and with a long breath, I relaxed into him, wondering why I had resisted his comfort earlier.
“I think reality is a little different for each of us now,” he murmured. “At least, I hope you know that.” He pressed a kiss to my head. “Get some rest and I’ll call you later.”
I nodded. He eased back, looking down at me. He bent and brushed a kiss to my cheek. “Call me if you need anything, all right?”
“I will.”
He paused before he walked out the door.
“I’m not sure how I’ll sleep without you beside me tonight, Sandy.” He shook his head. “I’m not looking forward to it.”
He walked out, pulling the door tight behind him.
I stared after his retreating figure, the unease back. My stomach tightened, and my body became tense.
That odd sensation crept over me, causing a shiver to run down my spine.
Somehow, without Jordan beside me, I felt nervous, worried, and unsure.
I picked up my bag, mentally giving myself a good shake.
“Stop it, Sandy. You’re just tired.”
That mantra repeated itself in my head for the next few hours.
I was restless the remainder of the day. I unpacked, checking everything, reassuring myself I hadn’t forgotten anything of importance, yet the feeling lingered. For some reason, I carried all the things we had bought, including the lovely shawl, into the room I used as an office. It had always been my space, decorated with a feminine touch. Max rarely came in except to ask a question or, in our earlier years, to bring me a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. It had simply been a place I could go to on my own. I wasn’t sure why I brought the bags in here, but I felt better once I had.
I did a few chores, made some toast I nibbled on, then paced the house in an endless loop. I couldn’t settle, no matter how I tried. My book held no interest for me, there was nothing on TV, and the music I had playing bothered more than soothed, so I shut it off.
Jordan called in the early evening, his voice a welcome distraction.
“How are you?”
“Fine,” I assured him. “Just having a quiet evening.”
There was a pause, and I wondered if he was waiting for me to tell him I missed him. I wanted to, but somehow, the words stuck in my throat.
“Any news from the real estate agent?” I asked.
He cleared his throat. “Yes, she dropped by after I got home. The open house was a huge success, and she expects a lot of offers tomorrow.”
“That is good news.”
“Well, it will be interesting, that’s for sure.”
“I’m sure it will be fine.”
“Gina called as well. She wants to come in a few weeks to go through the boxes at the warehouse. She’s trying to coordinate her trip with Warren’s, so they come at the same time.” He paused. “I think they want to spare me going through things twice.”
“That is thoughtful.”
“Yes. I was thinking, perhaps we could all have dinner one night.”
His words hung in the air. He wanted to introduce me to his children—officially. I had met them at the office on different occasions, but under vastly diverse circumstances. As a married coworker, not the woman he was having an affair with.
Internally, I shook my head. I was more than that to Jordan. I knew that without a doubt—why had those words gone through my head? We weren’t having an affair. We were in a relationship.
“Sandy?” Jordan’s worried voice prompted me.
“Sorry,” I laughed, trying not to convey my sudden discomfort. “I was daydreaming.”
“So, dinner?”
“Yes, we’ll have to arrange that.”
“Sandy, my darling, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong.”
“Then why am I sensing a huge distance from you?”
“I’m simply tired, Jordan. We had a busy weekend, and I’m exhausted.”
“It was a wonderful weekend, I thought.”
“Yes,” I