Chewing slowly, Alec set his fork down. Folded his hands together and rested his elbows on the table. “Okay. Just remember how dry the meat was last time. I mean, I don’t really mind, but you know how it looks to people.”

Heat warmed her cheeks. As he’d pointed out in front of everyone at the table. His eyes were back on his plate, fork in hand again.

“When were you thinking for dinner?” he asked.

“Friday night?”

“Saturday night is better. Then no one has to work the next day.”

“Okay.” She’d thought she could go out with Lisa that night. “Then Friday, I might see Lisa for dinner.”

“Shouldn’t you cook ahead that night?”

“I can cook in the afternoon on Saturday.” Or he could cook. But he hated cooking. Not that he often liked what she cooked.

“Isn’t it better that you be at home?”

Cora sipped her water. Licked her lips. When she didn’t answer, he shook his head. “The therapist said we should make sure to spend time together. Complete our homework.”

Yes, speak to her because someone told you to.

His tone made it a statement. A fact. No arguments.

“Okay.”

In the back of her mind, she wished he was still at his conference. She wanted to see her friend. She was always making her plans around his. It seemed that following the therapist’s advice meant doing what she had always done.

“Don’t you work late on Fridays, though?” Really, she shouldn’t have asked it.

“Yes, but it’s work. It’s important.” He put his knife and fork down on his empty plate. “That was pretty spicy…”

He was looking at her. Waiting for something.

“Sorry,” she said.

At that, he gave a nod like she’d offered him something he deserved.

When she was washing up, she decided to make spaghetti for Saturday night too.

With extra chili.

With Alec in his study, Cora let herself relax. She sank into the couch, a wine in hand, and stared at the television without really watching it. It was a relief to be in quiet, to not have Alec near her, or Frazer.

Frazer.

Cora really had no idea what she was doing with her life anymore.

Movement in the corner of her eye made Cora turn her head to see Alec standing in the kitchen. He was hovering, as if lost. Her heart clenched, beating too fast at the sight. Alec was always sure, always confident. Now he looked like he was caught between worlds with no idea what he should do.

When they caught each other’s eye, he kept walking until he was sitting on the couch, the space between them slightly smaller than usual.

“What are you watching?” His eyes remained on the television.