The hush throughout the bookstore was again disrupted by my phone's persistent ringing.
This was the third time Milo had tried calling me and for the life of me, I couldn't accept it. Before, I could answer his call in a heartbeat. However, the thought of having our first phone call as a married couple, made me reluctant.
The awkwardness would eat me alive. Surely, I would say something dumb without thinking; if I had anything to say at all.
I quickly swiped 'dismiss' and put it on silent, rocking back in my small desk chair. I nervously bit my nails as I stared at the black screen.
Why did I have to be such an introvert? There's nothing to it, just a quick talk with an old friend- who was now my husband.
What if he gets offended?
Brushing my hair off the side of my glasses, I let out a sigh and grabbed the phone to dial him back.
He picked up after the second ring.
"Where the hell are you?" I flinched at his aggravated tone.
"I'm at the shop... I didn't want to wake you or Alani this morning to trouble you, so I had the driver drop me off," I try to explain.
He let out a low sigh and continued, "Did Mom stop by while I was asleep or did you just leave before she could?"
"Oh no, no, she called before I left and said she wouldn't bother us so early seeing as we had a long day yesterday. That's why I decided to come open the bookstore..."
He didn't respond and before the dreaded silence could creep in I hurriedly added, "I was bored being up by myself."
His voice calmed down a notch as he responded, "You were bored so your first thought was to work?"
Well when he put it like that, it was a complete joke of an excuse for my true feelings- not wanting to face him.
"Well, I did want to talk to you about your job." He hesitated on the word job and I knew why. It made me sad to think that Milo could never view my passion as a legitimate means of fulfilment. Though, it would be wrong for me to blame him since his upbringing was vastly different from mine, as much as it hurt me.
I squeaked out, "What about it?" The answer flittered to my mind before he could deny it and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to desperately push it away.
Milo wasn't like that. He would never tell me to forsake the bookstore. There have been too many enthusiastic moments, where I gushed about loving every corner of our library, for him to ignore.
Realistically, his interest was probably more to do with the store's financial standing. That had to be it.
''I'm coming to pick you up before my parents drop in. We can talk about it later... And Kaia?'' He asked.
''Yes?''
''Did you tell Mom where you were going?'' His question left me confused.
''No, I didn't, why?'' I twirled a highlighter in my fingers, realizing my anxiety about talking to Milo was all in my head. I had nothing to be worried about, it felt natural- just as it had always been.
The stray thought made me smile in respite.
''Nothing. Just curious. You know Mom's always been a busybody. Anyway, be ready in about twenty minutes, I'm on my way.'' He sounded cheerful to come pick me up and it rubbed off on me quickly.
''Sure thing boss,'' I replied playfully, gaining a low laugh from the other line.
''I like the sound of that actually,'' He muttered huskily. And just like that he made me wince in embarrassment.
