Iris took her time looking round the shops, she loved the small local ones she's had never seen before.
So many new foods to try.
Picking up the ingredients she needed she sat down for a quick coffee and googled Lins name, clicking on various pages to read up on him.
"Jesus. This guy really IS multitalented."
She clicked on a video of him and realised he was speaking Spanish, further investigation told her he was Puerto Rican descent.
She listened to it all despite not knowing what he was saying.
"That explains the caramel skin"
She smiled as she flicked through the photos. "Gorgeous"
She quickly put her phone down.
"What the hell Iris! Not appropriate!"
Shaking herself out of it she grabbed her bags and went back to the apartment.
Gia sat on the bed with her phone in her hand.
A message pinged
'You all ready? You sure about this? You can change your mind if not'
She smiled. 'Yep. I'm ready. A bit apprehensive. I'm not good at sneaking round. Can't wait to see you though'
'Does Lin suspect anything?'
She breathed in deeply.
'No. Not a thing. He's so busy he won't even notice. I'll see you tomorrow xx'
Iris got back and set to work.
Gia appeared and sat opposite her watching the dough stretch out.
"I don't think I've got the patience to do that."
Iris laughed.
"It's kind of therapeutic after a while once you get into the rhythm."
"Whose rhythm are we getting into?" Lin smiled as he came out of his room and did a quick shimmy across the floor.
Iris laughed. "The pizza's... not sure what rhythm it would have though."
He pondered the question momentarily.
"Definitely a 4/4 with a 110bpm"
Gia laughed.
"Please excuse my nerd of a husband."
He frowned and pouted at her.
"It would!"
Iris smiled. "Well I wouldn't know about that. What I would know however is that I need to get this in the oven if you are wanting to eat soon"
"You're eating with us though right?" Lin asked.
"I'm just here to cook for you. I'm getting treated far better than I should be already anyway. Please. This is to give you both more quality time together. You don't need a third wheel."
He looked at her.
"You never eat with Wanda? I mean, I could put on a floaty dress, heels and some massive earrings if it would make you feel more at home?"
"Hey, let's not freak Iris out completely Lin, maybe save your personal secret quirks till she knows you better"
Gia smiled at him and laughed.
He cocked his head to one side thoughtfully.
"You're just jealous of my calves...."
Iris pulled the pizza out and cut it up into slices, putting it on the table with a fresh salad.
"Ok. Dinner is served. Albeit a very simple one. I'll get out of your hair for the rest of the evening and leave you in peace."
Gia closed her eyes and breathed in.
"It smells amazing. Thank you. You really don't have to leave us to it. You're not intruding."
"I've got some things to do anyway, and I'm sure you would prefer some time alone as you're away from tomorrow. Honestly. It's fine. I'll see you in the morning. Night both."
She waved on her way out.
Lin looked at Gia, a slice of pizza in his hand.
"God this is really good."
She nodded.
"It is, don't be having pizza every day when I'm away though. That's no good for you."
"Tell that to the Ninja Turtles. So what's the deal at work? What's the sudden issue that needs resolving?"
Gia took a drink.
"Oh it's something and nothing. I don't want to bore you."
Lin frowned.
"It's not boring me. I'm interested, that's why I've asked."
She looked at him irritated.
"Honestly, it's nothing Lin. I'm sick of work stuff. Can we just have tonight without work chat?"
He looked at her surprised.
"Erm. Ok. Sorry."
They continued to eat in silence.
Lin eventually looked up and hesitated for a second before he spoke.
"Are we ok?"
Gia looked up at him quickly and answered, a hint of anger in her voice. "What? Of course we are. What do you mean?"
He stood up and took the plates to the dishwasher.
"I mean. Are we ok? C'mon Gia, it can't just be me who has noticed we haven't talked properly or had sex for months..."
He looked at her trying to gauge her response.
She met his gaze angrily.
"Well. Sorry for being busy. Sorry I haven't had time for your every need. Sorry you're not the only one with important work to do."
She stood up and went to leave the room.
"Gia please."
"I'm going to pack."
She slammed the door behind her.
Iris heard a door slam and frowned, but there were no raised voices.
She shrugged and turned on the TV.
Grabbing a towel from the closet she got in the shower.
Lin put the last of the dishes away and poured a couple of glasses of wine. He hated arguing.
He walked into their bedroom and passed Gia a glass, before silently sitting on the bed.
"Thanks"
She said as she took a sip.
He nodded but said nothing, watching as she carried on folding t shirts and jumpers and putting them in her case.
He looked at her over his glass.
"I'm sorry."
She turned to him.
"What for?"
"For being inside my head recently."
She laughed quietly, and carried on folding.
"You're always inside your head when you're writing."
"Ok. Then I'm sorry for being more inside my head than usual. You know how proud I am of you and the work you do don't you?"
She sat down next to him.
"It's just been one hell of a month. I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I'm sorry for shouting."
"Hey it's fine. How about we take a couple days off when you get back? Head out of town, somewhere where there's no phone signal or distractions?"
He leaned over and kissed her neck gently.
"I miss you."
She looked into his dark eyes, a feeling of guilt washing over her like a tidal wave.
Looking away quickly she answered. "Ok. Sure. Now I really have to finish packing or I'll forget something."
He frowned fleetingly but nodded.
"Ok. I guess I'll leave you to it then."
She smiled.
"Thank you." She watched him as he walked away.
"Lin...."
He turned expectantly, his hand on the door handle.
Gia opened her mouth to say something then stopped herself.
He raised his eyebrow and waited.
She sighed.
"I'm sorry."
He waited for her to say more but it became apparent that was all she wanted to say.
He nodded again and walked out.
