Baby

twenty-two

Juliario's was a quiet place on my man's side of the border. We used to come here all the time when we were dating, and the fact that it all still looks the same brought small tears to my eyes.

I wouldn't cry tonight.

Tonight was celebratory. So I pushed my shoulders back and smiled warmly when I spotted my man walking over.

"You look beautiful Baby."

"You look good yourself."

He smiled as he slid into the chair opposite mine. "Congratulations on getting the job. They would've been crazy not to hire someone as smart as you."

A light blush crept onto my cheeks and I found it insane that I had wanted to cry only moments before.

"Thank you." I murmered, listening to the sounds of the busy resturant. As the silence between us grew, I felt my smile drooping, heavy and burden-like. Maybe I wasn't ready for this. Maybe it was all to nostalgic.

A hand squeezed mine and I looked up with a start.

"Baby," He said, as soft as a feather, "what's wrong?"

"I don't know." I was being honest for once. My walls crumbled when he looked at me likr that, like he cared. Maybe he did care, but was that enough? Did he care enough? Could anyone ever in a position like his.

Anxiety bubbled in my belly and before I knew it, I was spilling my guts on the table.

"I'm scared." I said. "I think that's what's wrong. I think I'm scared of the fact that the trial is coming to an end and I still don't know what to do."

My man's features softened even further. "You shouldn't be. I'll respect whatever choice you make." A pause. "That being said, I still hope you stay."

"And if I stay and nothing changes?"

"And if it does?" My man sighed heavily, fiddling with my fingers as he spoke. "I don't think you should make your decision just yet. We still have time before the trial ends. I think you should consider all aspects of our marriage before making your decision."

My heart stopped as his words registered in my brain. The sincere look in his eyes completely stole the breath from my lungs. I knew what he was asking, and I knew it was a mistake.

"I'm tired of sleeping on the couch Baby. Please let me in."

It was wrong.

"If you leave me after then so be it. If you don't, then I think I might just have the best luck in the world. But Baby, don't make an ill-informed decision."

It was so wrong.

And yet, I found myself leaning across the table, crashing my lips into his in a heated kiss that nearly set the tablecloth on fire.