and went in. He’d made a reservation this time, so that was nice. Last time we’d had to wait forever.
“Hey, so you should probably start moving some of your stuff over this weekend,” he said, as I stared at a menu that I’d memorized for how many times I’d been here.
“Okay. I’ll pack a few boxes up this week and have them ready. I also have those books for your mom.” TJ and his parents had a rocky relationship, but they’d gotten closer lately, and I did like his mother. I’d picked up a few used books I thought she might like. Seemed like the thing to do for my future mother in law.
“Yeah, sounds good.”
TJ ordered a beer and messed on his phone as I tried to engage him in any conversation. Finally, I got him talking about movies. TJ loved movies. I’d never met anyone who had seen more movies than him. It was usually what we did on our dates. When we’d first gotten together, he’d take me out in his truck, set up a projector and a sheet on the side of a building and we’d watch them for hours and dissect them afterward. I couldn’t remember the last time we’d done that.
“You want to go this weekend to see that new one? I can’t remember the name.”
“Can’t. I’ve got to work, sorry. I’m pulling overtime for the wedding and everything,” he said, not looking up from his phone.
Our wedding was nothing fancy, but that didn’t mean it was free. Neither of us had a ton of funds, and I refused to let either of our parents put up any money to support us. We were both adults and we didn’t need them to give us a cent. TJ was reluctantly on board with that plan, so he’d pick up some extra hours at his job, and I saw him a lot less.
After the wedding, things would calm down and we’d get back into our routine. We just had to get through the wedding. Only a few weeks left. I wish eloping wouldn’t kill both sets of parents, or else I would have suggested that. It would have been so easy to just drive to the courthouse and be done with it. I could have worn my dress anyway, and Tessa could have stood by my side. Her condition on being my maid of honor was that she got to choose what she wore, and I still had no idea what her outfit was going to look like, no matter how many times I’d tried to get it out of her. When Tessa actually put in the effort, she could keep a secret better than anyone I knew.
TJ’s gloomy mood forced me to not order dessert, even though they actually had decent cake at this place. He paid and we got back in his truck and I tried to bring him back around. I received one-word answers and grunts all the way back to my place.
He did get out and open my door for me and help me down from the truck.
“Thanks for dinner,” I said. “You want to come up for a few minutes?”
He jammed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. His boots were covered in sawdust from work.
We hadn’t had sex in weeks. I told myself it was because he was busy, but it was also me not making an effort. This man was going to be my husband and the least I could do was show him that I wanted him.
I leaned forward and grabbed his shirt so I could kiss him. He kissed me back, but pulled away quickly.
“Listen, I’m really tired. I’ll make it up to you next week, I swear. Work is just a lot.” I knew that, but it still stung when he kissed my cheek and got back into his truck and roared away.
Maybe next week.
Three
Tessa
“What about this?” Vanessa, my aunt said, pointing at a chair.
I shook my head. “No, that’s not going to work. She doesn’t need a chair.” The two of us weaved through the antique shop, making our way to the back, where Vanessa’s wife, Hollie, was dusting.
“Any luck?” she said, looking up from a shelf of plates.
“Not really.” I sighed heavily and leaned against an antique bureau that had several items on it. “I just don’t know what to get her. Nothing seems right. I’ve never had this much of an issue getting Ford a present before.” I’d been