The Art of The Affair

21

In my anger and my pain the morning following his faux breakup speech, I'd sent out my resume to some companies on a job app.  The responses that followed surprised me.  On one hand, I didn't want to be anywhere else except at the pub.  But things couldn't stay as they were forever.  I was going to need to get a job of my own so that I could leave Ron and support myself.  Draco was also looking for another job, as his days were also numbered.

I interviewed for a couple that had seemed good on paper but that had raised serious red flags during the interview.  The third job had been the one I'd initially been the least interested in, as its salary was the lowest.  But managing a bookshop - one that was closed on Sunday and only open from 11 am to 6 pm - seemed like the perfect hours for someone who was dating a bartender.  It was perfect: no getting up super early, evenings were free, and we'd have Sundays off together.  

If I had a friend I could talk to about my options, she would've told me not to build my life around someone.  I would've given that same advice prior to my experience.  But when Draco had found out the location of the job I was offered, he'd started looking at jobs near the bookshop's neighborhood.

"It makes sense that we live and work in that area instead of taking the damn tube all around the place," he'd said.

If he was willing to move and work in an area I was taking a job in, then we were equally guilty of having the other person in mind when making choices.

I accepted the job and told Ron I wouldn't be able to cover at the bar anymore until after work.  To say he'd been blindsided would have been an understatement.  I wasn't surprised when Ginny had called my cell later that evening, having heard the news from her brother.  After we hung up a short time later, it occurred to me that our conversation may have been the last we'd ever have.  It would likely at least be the last civil one.

Draco promised that he could manage the place on his own while I was at work, but he ending up being able to hire a new bartender a couple of days before I started my new job.  Ron signed off on it and the new guy caught on nicely.  I didn't even have to help out much. A few days later, Draco hired a second person.  It wasn't until then that I understood the jealousy thing.  She was young, just 22, and she was admittedly very pretty.  The moment I'd laid eyes on her after work one evening, with Draco standing next to her as she trained, I'd felt the irrational urge to yell at him and not speak to him for a day or two.  

He'd caught a glimpse of my jealous rage when he'd glanced up and seen me frozen in place near the door.  A short time later, he'd met me in the office to discreetly put out the fire.  After showing me her application and being able to see her work experience for myself, I only had to watch her work for a little while to see why he'd really hired her.  She was confident, she didn't get rattled by customers, and she was fast.

"I can't think about some bloke flirting with you at work.  I have to trust you.  You'll have to do the same," he'd soothed, kissing my forehead.  

It had been sage advice, though it hadn't been easy for either of us.  He'd asked a couple of times if anyone had hit on me, and I'd hated to see Amanda talking with Draco.  It was a work in progress.

Time seemed to be flying by faster, and Draco was growing impatient with my stalling about telling Ron.  It wasn't that I didn't want to.  I couldn't wait to start living my life for myself and being happy.  I just didn't know how to tell Ron to keep from hurting him.  But he deserved to get on with his life and so did I, so it needed to be done.

Draco had gone to an interview for another bar manager position and was waiting to hear something back.  When they called and offered him the position, and for more money, I knew it was time.  I chose the upcoming Sunday when Ron would have the entire day to process our talk.  What I hadn't counted on was waking up sick as a dog three days prior.  I'd barely made it to the toilet in time.