The Affair

Chapter 16.3

Sunday, July 3, 2022, 7:47pm

The sky seems to smelt, burning in golden hues across the shoreline as the sun begins its descent.

Sunday had burned much too quickly. Hand in hand, Fallon had tugged William along the Galveston seawall, dipping into small gift shops, and even stopping for selfie shots when the beach looked particularly picturesque. Fare games and roller coaster rides at a small theme park on the pier came next, eating most of the day.

The sunset is imminent—any minute now. William sinks into the sofa, shouldering his phone against his ear. Through the phone his wife yaps on and on as he half-listens. The latest drama between her aunt and uncle, something about her mother's garden, and the tedious details of her sister's operation.

He fidgets with his cigarette box, thumb tracing the decals of it as June drones on. A hairdryer hums from the hall—Fallon coming off her shower. It distracts him a bit. June laughs through the phone, so he does too.

Some time later, the background noise quiets and he hears a door close. Fallon emerges from the hall. The room seems to blur as every ounce of attention is dedicated to her figure. Hair blown straight with a natural curl at the ends, each lock shimmery and healthy despite the hours under the harsh sun. A dress drapes loosely from her shoulders. Something white and sheer with a crochet pattern—an obvious throw-over for a swimsuit—with long, flared sleeves, and a hem that barely reaches mid thigh.

His eyes follow her—breasts bare under the hush of fabric, the cleft of her ass when she passes. She only smiles, then heads out to the patio.

"William," June calls through the phone.

He snaps back to reality.

"Yes, hon. I'm here," he returns, scrambling for context.

"I was asking what you had planned for the fourth. Hear anything from Malcolm?"

"I did..." That's a lie. "But i'm not sure yet. I have some work to catch up on, so I'll probably just do that."

June sighs. "Don't just work through the weekend. Go visit your friends and have fun."

On his feet, William hovers by the glass, watching Fallon move across the deck. She lays an arm on the railing, the other brushing back her hair as the wind tousles it. West burns a thick, bold orange as the sun says its farewell, painting the sky a twilight swirl for a few precious minutes. He stands there, eyes on her, admiring her profile as she watches the sunset.

Another wind lifts her dress and hair as she stands against it. The last breath of the sunlight reaches her like a warm hand caressing her cheek. Her head lilts like she's leaning into it. Then she smiles.

"William!"

He realizes he isn't breathing. He sucks in a fast breath.

"Yes!" he stammers.

Background voices creep through the speaker, someone calling from another room. June groans a troublesome noise.

"Nevermind. I'm just gonna let you go. Grace needs me," she says, voice wilting. "And you're obviously not even listening to me so what's the point."

He rakes his fingers along the backside of his neck.

"I'm sorry, hon," he says, waving his hand like a white flag. "I'm just tired, I guess."

"So am I, Will. But I've been dying to talk to you all day. You hardly respond to any of my texts. And now I finally get you on the phone you can't even give me ten minutes?"

His lips purse. He has no excuse.

"I know, I know. You're right. I'm sorry I got distracted. I'm here, I swear. Please continue..."