Wifey Talk [COMPLETED, 18+]

Part fifty-five

SOFIA'S POV

On the drive back from New Jersey to New York, I allow myself to fall asleep the whole way. Mostly, I want to avoid talking to James, which is hard to do when we're road tripping together. At first, I pretend to fall asleep quickly, and soon I actually do fall asleep. When I wake up, we've arrived back home.

Upon our arrival, I notice a giant basket outside our front door. I pick it up and look at James, who looks equally as curious.

"Who is it from?" He asks.

"There's a card inside," I say. "Let me open it."

We head inside together and head for the kitchen counter, completely ignoring the fact that we've been avoiding each other all day. I open the gift basket wrapping, and read the card inside.

Love, Ioane.

My heart melts when I see the contents of the basket. There's a eucalyptus stuffed bunny that can be heated up for warmth, several maxi pads, tampons, Tylenol, my favorite chocolates, the 27 dresses movie, popcorn, pajamas, and fuzzy socks for me. Ioane made me a care basket since he knew my period was killing me. I tear up a little, wiping away the wetness that springs to my eyes. I've never had anyone do something so sweet for me. 

"I can't believe he did this," I gasp, hugging the bunny to my chest.

"Neither can I," James mutters.

I put the basket on my nightstand, and then I get ready for later tonight.

Unfortunately, James and I have to attend a dinner at the Henderson's tonight, so I'll have to act lovey-dovey with my husband then. I'm still not in the mood to play wife right now, especially when James has made it clear that he has no desire to be exclusive with me. How can he tell me that I'm so desirable one minute and then refuse to be with me properly the next?

I'm in my closet figuring out what to wear when my phone rings. It's Ioane, thank god.

"Aloha," I greet him happily, thinking of his sweet gesture earlier.

"Aloha love."

"How are you doing?" I ask him.

"I'm always better talking to you."

I smile at that. Ioane knows how to make a girl feel special. "And how's Leilani? Can I see her? Are you home?"

"I'm just on break from the farmer's market. Leilani is with her grandparents. I just wanted to call you and ask you about something."

"What is it?" I ask him.

"I know your birthday is coming up, and I was wondering if you would like it if I flew down to visit you."

My jaw drops. "Are you serious? You want to come all the way to New York for my birthday? Are you sure?"

He nods his head. "I've been saving up, and I think it would only be fair since you came to visit me."

"But it's so expensive! And you still have to pay for Leilani and nursing school!"

"I can make it work."

"Ioane, I can't ask this of you."

"But you're not asking. I'm offering. All you have to do is say yes."

"I—I—" I hesitate, feeling guilty for even considering it.

"Say yes Sofia. Say yes."

"Okay. Yes," I say. "I would absolutely love to see you on my birthday."

A giggle finds its way through my throat, and I grin like the Cheshire Cat. I'm actually going to be seeing Ioane for my birthday! It's the best present I could even ask for.

"Perfect. I'll book a hotel near your place so we can be close."

I'm about to offer him a place to stay in our apartment, but then I remember that James and I made a deal to keep the apartment just for us two. "Okay," I tell Ioane. "Why don't I send you my address, and you can book a hotel near by. How long do you think you'll stay for?"

"Only two days. I can't leave Leilani behind for long, and it would be too big a hassle to bring her with me."

"I understand," I tell him, feeling completely energized. My bad mood has been washed away, and all it took was one call from Ioane.

"I'll see you in a couple weeks," he says. "I love you."

"See you then! And thank you so much for my gift basket. It was so sweet of you. I absolutely love it."

"It was no problem. I wish I could be there for you more," he says.

"You are," I tell him.
~~~~
JAMES' POV

I know I shouldn't be eavesdropping on Sofia, but when I hear happy peals of laughter coming from her closet, I can't help it. Her mood has shifted so drastically from how she felt in the car today. I overhear the fucker telling her that he loves her, and something inside me snaps. First the fucking gift basket, and now this. What the hell was he trying to pull with my wife?

"Sofia, we're leaving in five minutes," I tell her.

We have plenty of time to leave our apartment and arrive early at the Henderson's, but I lie to her, so she'll hang up on him. It works.

I'm finishing putting on my cuff links when Sophia steps out of the closet. She's wearing a stunning, floor-length black and gold embellished gown. It features a low V and an open back, and the dress hugs the perfect curve of her ass. I have to keep from gawking at her.

"Do I not have time to curl my hair?" She says. "I thought we were leaving in twenty minutes! I haven't even done my makeup yet."

"You're fine," I tell her. "I read the time wrong. Go ahead and take your time."

She nods her head, running to our bathroom. I lean in the doorway, watching her curl her hair with the hot hand tool. She doesn't take very long to apply makeup, probably because she doesn't need it. Then she's grabbing her purse and pulling me out the door. We're acting like everything is fine between us again, so I have that fucker to thank for her good mood.

When we arrive at the Henderon's house, Jenny welcomes us inside. She takes Sofia by the hand and the women work in the kitchen while we discuss business in the living room. Most of the conversation is pretty dry until Sofia comes back to sit with me. She surprises me by sitting down and letting her head fall against my shoulder.

"How are you Mr. Henderson?" She asks. "Read any more Khaled Hosseini?"

He grins, leaning in to chat with her. I wrap an arm around her back, rubbing up and down her bare skin while she talks to him. They discuss their favorite authors once again, and I zone out, focusing on the smooth feeling of Sofia's skin underneath my fingers. What I wouldn't give to kiss her warm flesh. I want to suck on her skin until it bruises for me, leaving my marks all over her pure body.

"James?"

I realize I've completely lost track of the conversation they've been having.

"Yes?" I ask hesitantly.

"I was asking if you were ready to eat?" Sofia asks.

"Oh, yeah. That's fine."

We have a seafood linguine pasta prepared by the Henderson's chef. There are several other dishes lining up and down the table, and Sofia and I take a little of everything before sitting down and eating. As painful as it is to talk business with Henderson, I realize that Sofia makes it bearable. I enjoy listening to her talk about her favorite books, movies, and authors. She brings the conversation to life.

For dessert, we each have tea and chocolate mousse. I feel stuffed by the time that we leave, and Henderson is telling us to come back anytime when we head outside to our car. I thank my lucky stars for Sofia, wondering how I got gifted such a stunning wife.