Chapter 112

Iris

I wake to the feeling of a cool breeze kissing my cheek and the sound of rain pattering against the window. For a moment, I can’t help but smile; I’m home. Sleeping in my old bed. In the very same bed I once happily shared with my mate and will share with him again and again. Yawning, I roll onto my back and stretch languidly.

Slowly, the events of yesterday come creeping back. My eyes crack open, and I expect to see Arthur sleeping beside me. I have to tell him the truth; I can’t keep this secret any longer.

But when I look over, I find his side of the bed empty.

I sit up, looking around. The en suite bathroom door is open, the bathroom unoccupied. Suddenly, I spot a sticky note sitting on my bedside table. I pick it up and see that it’s a note from Arthur explaining that he had a work emergency and won’t be back until later tonight.

Well, so much for that.

With a sigh, I climb out of bed and get dressed. I packed some extra clothes for our overnight trip, so I pull on a pair of leggings and a tank top; but it’s colder today due to the rain, so I grab one of Arthur’s knit sweaters out of the closet and pull that on.

I smile again as I inhale his scent. The last time I did this, I hid in his closet and fell asleep there like a desperate weirdo. Now, I can wear his clothes again with pride, just like I used to do.

If only I weren’t keeping such a huge secret from him. But I know I’ll tell him as soon as possible. If not today, then tomorrow.

Miles is already awake when I go downstairs. I make us both breakfast consisting of buttery toast and omelets, which Miles eats with gusto. As I’m cleaning up, I suggest visiting Clyde and Augustine, and Miles excitedly agrees to accompany me.

In the lobby, Miles immediately runs to Clyde, arms outstretched. “Hey there, little man!” Clyde exclaims, ruffling Miles’ hair. “I heard you’d be around today. Are you here to help me with the door again?”

Miles nods with a grin. Clyde chuckles. “You were really good at pressing the button last time, so that’s your job today.”

After Clyde and I exchange pleasantries—I find out that his niece was in town recently and they checked out all of the major Ordan attractions, even the zoo, much to Clyde’s chagrin because seeing the monkeys in cages depresses him—I make my way to Augustine’s door.

“Iris, dear!” Augustine’s face lights up when she opens the door. “I heard you were here. Come in, come in.”

Her apartment smells like lavender and old books, just as it always has. “Tea?” Augustine asks, already heading to the kitchen without waiting for my answer.

“Please,” I call after her.

A few minutes later, she returns with a tray bearing two mismatched teacups and a plate of shortbread cookies. Her hands shake slightly as she pours, but she manages without spilling.

“So,” she says, sitting in her favorite armchair across from me, “tell me everything. I hear you and Arthur are back together?”

I smile, taking a sip of the perfectly brewed tea. “We are. It’s been… wonderful, actually.”

“But?” Augustine’s sharp eyes study me over the rim of her cup.

“But what?”

“There’s something you’re not telling me, dear. I may be old and addled, but I’m not blind.”

My throat bobs. Even with her recent memory issues, Augustine has always been perceptive, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. I’m glad to see she hasn’t lost that ability to the throes of her dementia, but I’m also chagrined that she noticed. “It’s complicated.”

“Love usually is.” She sets down her cup with a gentle clink. “Whatever it is, you should talk to Arthur about it.”

“I want to,” I admit, surprised by how easily the words come out. “I really do. But there are… other people involved. Other considerations.”

Augustine reaches across and pats my hand. “A strong relationship isn’t built on lies, Iris. Whatever secret you’re keeping, it will only grow heavier with time.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the fucking face. She’s right, of course. Every day I keep this from Arthur feels like another brick added to the wall between us.

“I’ll tell him,” I say firmly. “Soon. Whether Cal—whether anyone else likes it or not.”

Augustine nods approvingly. “Good girl. Now, about book club…”

We chat for another hour about the mystery novel we’re supposed to be reading, although neither of us has made much progress. Miles eventually comes and knocks on the door, asking for lunch, and we say our goodbyes.

Back upstairs, I check my phone and groan. I completely forgot that my residency presentation is due tomorrow, and I’ve barely even started. Between the gala, the photoshoot, Caleb’s lessons, and, well… everything else, I’ve been neglecting my actual career.

I need to focus. But first, I should do something nice for Arthur. Something to show him how much I appreciate everything he’s done for us. Maybe I could cook his favorite meal, or pick up a new record to add to his vinyl collection…

“Mommy, can I stay at Daddy’s again tonight?” Miles interrupts my thoughts. “I want to sleep in my race car bed!”

“I don’t know, sweetheart. I have a lot of work to do, and—”

Suddenly, the door closes behind me, making me jump. Arthur is standing in the entryway, dressed in his usual work attire: a crisp navy blue suit. “How about a father-son night?” he says, clearly having overheard.

I blink.

“Please, Mommy?” Miles tugs at my sleeve. “I promise I’ll be good!”

I sigh, realizing that I’m outnumbered. Besides, it’ll be an opportunity for me to get some work done without distractions.

Thirty minutes later, I’m standing in the doorway, prattling off a list of instructions.

“Remember, he needs to brush his teeth for two full minutes, not just a quick swipe. And no sweets after dinner, even if he asks nicely. Oh, and he might try to convince you that he’s allowed to stay up past nine, but don’t fall for it—”

“Iris.” Arthur places his hands on my shoulders with an amused smirk that somehow makes him look even more irritatingly handsome than usual. “I’ve got this. Go home and work on your presentation.”

“But I need to tell you—”

“Whatever it is can wait,” he insists, gently steering me toward the door. “Your career is important. Go. Now.”

“Arthur, really—”

“Nope.” He’s actually pushing me out the door now, laughing. “Stop stalling.”

I open my mouth to finally tell Arthur the truth about my big secret, but Miles chooses that moment to run up and wrap his arms around Arthur’s legs. My lips press together. I can’t tell him with Miles right here. This is a private conversation. It’s the type of conversation that has to happen between Arthur and I first, so we can navigate it before we both sit Miles down and explain everything.

“Daddy, can we make popcorn and watch dinosaur movies?”

Arthur ruffles his hair. “Of course, buddy. As soon as your mom stops trying to micromanage our evening.”

I roll my eyes, but I’m smiling, even if my mind is reeling with the fact that I’m going to have to wait another day to tell Arthur the truth. “Fine, fine. I’m going.”

As I step into the hallway, Arthur catches my wrist and pulls me back for a quick kiss. “Good luck with your presentation,” he murmurs against my lips. “We’ll be fine.”

Walking to the elevator, I can’t help but smile. I might be keeping some life-changing secrets, but other than that, life is good.

Almost too good to be true.