They needed to pay more attention to each other. Perhaps that was all that was needed.

She lifted her hand on her chest. “I’m glad you said that. I think we do need to talk.”

“And we will.” He glanced at his watch. “But I have a nine o’clock meeting in the office with the pickiest client it has ever been my misfortune to work with, and I need to leave now if I’m to stand a chance of making it.”

She let her hand drop.

Is your marriage in trouble?

Yes, it definitely was.

Was she being unfair? She couldn’t expect him to blow off a meeting because she wanted to talk. He had responsibilities to his partners and clients. And any conversation they had now would be tainted by the fact that he was stressed about being late for work.

“Let’s go out for dinner tonight.” If he wasn’t going to suggest it, then she would.

“Tonight?” He looked panicked. “I have drinks after work with the partners. Didn’t I mention it?”

“No.”

“How about tomorrow? We should celebrate.”

A warmth spread through her. He hadn’t forgotten. “Celebrate?”

“Beginning of the holidays, for you and the girls at least—” He flashed her a smile. “We could go to that Italian place. The twins would love that. And tomorrow works for me because it’s Saturday and I won’t be breathing garlic over everyone at work.”

“I wasn’t planning on inviting the girls.”

“Oh—you mean a romantic night. Great.” He grabbed a protein bar from the cupboard. “Any night except tonight.”

Any night except tonight.

Their anniversary.

The warm feelings withered and died.

She watched as Sean grabbed his gym bag from the laundry room and stuffed the nut bar into a pocket on the side.

“Sean—”

“You book somewhere. Anywhere you like. Looking forward to it.” He was out through the door, leaving before she could say, I feel it would be more romantic and special if you chose somewhere.

The front door slammed behind him and she flinched as if he’d trapped her finger in it.

Happy Anniversary, Liza.

She topped up her coffee. Was she wrong to expect romance? Did every relationship feel this way after two decades and two children? For their first anniversary they’d had a weekend in Paris. They’d done it on a shoestring, staying in a seedy hotel on the Left Bank and loving every minute. For their second they’d taken a picnic to the river and spread everything out on a blanket in the shade of a weeping willow.

It had been years since they’d done something special.

Eight signs that your marriage might be in trouble.

Why was it bothering her so much? And why eight signs? Why not seven or nine? Someone had probably sat at their desk throwing out ideas and eight sounded like a good number.