Workshop attendees drifted past us as I packed my notes away.

“Do you want to grab a bite before the social tonight?” Bisa asked. “Oh, you probably have plans with Aiden.”

“No, he’s working.” Except for Thursday night. We’d each ordered a burger from room service. I’d eaten in bed, in my Harry Potter pajama pants and a college T-shirt. Aiden had done the same in flannel pants I rarely saw him wear. He’d had his phone and his tablet to work, but he’d been next to me, albeit in his own bed. After that night, he’d set up shop at the desk in the room.

I could invite him out with us, but I couldn’t ask him to pretend we were living under the same roof for one of my oldest friends. I wasn’t sure I could do it and not die slowly from anxiety. Sleeping next to him for two nights in separate beds had left me achy and needy.

I messaged Aiden that I was meeting a friend to eat and wouldn’t be back to the room. I didn’t want him waiting for me, but I refused to cancel on Bisa so I could go and watch him work. Last night had been nice. But ditching a friend to do it meant I hadn’t learned anything from our divorce situation.

Bisa and I went to the same restaurant Aiden and I had ordered the burgers from. The meal didn’t last long enough. Not only did I want more time to catch up with Bisa one-on-one, but I was dreading tonight. I shouldn’t be. Social nights with Bisa were my favorites. And tonight’s social was dress-as-a-book-character night. She and I had gone to a party like this in college and we’d dressed as compatible characters. We were doing it again tonight. It was tradition.

Aiden hardly saw me in my glasses. He’d never seen me dress up. Halloween was just another work night for him. No kids ventured out to our house, but I’d been ready with a bowl of candy and my Mary Poppins costume anyway. By the time Aiden was done at the office, I’d been changed and in bed.

I shouldn’t be anxious. My husband should know me at my worst and my best, but since the day of the open house when he’d asked me out, I’d striven to be at my best around him. Unrealistic, but that was where we were. Why I’d filed for divorce when I’d learned about the trust.