Secret Love

The triangle.

I woke up the next morning tangled in the limbs of my love, the excitement of the previous night still embedded in my skin.

My knees were weak and my head was clouded with bliss.

I kissed Elise atop her head then slid out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. I hated to leave her, even for a second. But boy did I have to pee.

I emerged from the bathroom to find Elise sitting up in bed, her hair a crazy mess atop her head, her arms outstretched as she yawned.

"Good morning beautiful."
I slipped back into bed and wrapped my arms around her slim waist, kissing her lightly on the cheek.

"Good morning," she replied, blushing slightly.

"How'd you sleep?" 

"Best I have in months." She said with a laugh, winking back at me as she made her way to the bathroom.

"Glad it wasn't just me."

I laid back and put my arms behind my head. 

I was lost in my own thoughts when the doorbell rang.

Who could it be at this time of morning?

"I got it." I called out to Elise hopping out of the bed and making my way towards the door.

I opened the door and came face to face with a handsome dark skinned man donning a low cut, pearly white teeth and a neatly trimmed goatee. My breath caught as I recognized him from the many pictures I'd seen around the apartment.

Standing right in front of me was Tom Holloway, Elise's fiancée.

My world fell from beneath my feet.

"You must be Nadia." Tom said extending his right hand, "I'm Tom Holloway, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Yes, nice to meet you too." I replied reluctantly shaking his hand. "Elise is in the bathroom, feel free to come in." I said stepping back to allow space to enter the room.

I shut and locked the door behind Elise's new guest and braced myself against the doorframe. I was afraid that if I stood without support for much longer, I'd fall to the floor.

"Elise has told me so much about you." Tom said with a smile, attempting to make small talk. I smiled wanly and slipped into the bedroom to warn Elise of her new visitor.

Boy did he have great timing.

I shut the door behind me and rubbed my temples, it'd really been a trying last few days. 

Elise walked out of the bathroom, a small smile playing on her lips. 

"Who was it?"

"Tom," I said softly.

All the color drained from her face. 

"Are you serious? Oh my God, what am I going to say to  him?"

"How about... the truth." I offered gently.

Her eyes welled, "I don't want to hurt him like that."

I smiled back sympathetically. This was a tough situation to be in and I couldn't help but to feel a twinge of guilt for my involvement. I knew Elise was engaged when I kissed her, but how could I resist? I'd waited for so long...

I opened my mouth to comfort her but was interuppted by a knock on the door.

"Elise? Hey baby, it's me. Are you in there?"

"Yes, be right out in a sec!" She replied, quickly slipping sweat pants over her naked bottom.

I made my way to her bed and sat down, my head a sea of different emotions.

All of a sudden it seemed like telling her how I felt was the easy part. Letting her decide what she wanted to do with that information, I was learning, was the difficult part.

And of course, you know, the fiancee.

"Nadia."

I met her gaze.

"I'm sorry... it was unfair to drag you into this."

"It's not your fault." I told her truthfully. "I knew your situation when I told you I loved you Elise, I didn't expect it to magically change overnight."

She looked at me with longing in her eyes then quickly brushed her lips against mine.

"I'll fix it... I'll fix everything."

She made her way to the door and looked back at me "give me 20 minutes then make your grand entrance." She said smiling weakly. I could tell she was nervous. 

I smiled back.

I wouldn't admit it, but I hated to see her go.