My Saving Grace

Chapter 31

As per the usual, work kept me occupied during the day and in the evenings, I came home to an empty house. Each night in bed without Antonio was pure agony, and it felt like I had a giant gaping hole in my chest. We talked on the phone every single night, after I'd stripped down to nothing but a pair of panties and one of his T-shirts.

During each phone call, once we'd talked about our day, his low, sex-laden voice and dirty mouth would bring me to orgasm as he explicitly voiced the things he wanted to do to my deprived body. In those moments, it didn't feel like an ocean separated us, but as soon as our calls ended, I'd be left feeling as empty as the space on the bed next to me. And then I would ache for my husband's touch and words instead of my own fingers all over again.

I seriously needed a dog or something to keep me company if these trips of his were going to be the norm.

Thursday evening, I was driving home from work when I got an incoming call from Chase.

"Hey, what's up?", I answered brightly.

"Hey, yourself. And not much. Just chilling with Gwen right now."

"That's great to hear. I had a wonderful time on Sunday, by the way. We should hang out more often. When you're not busy, that is."

"Yeah, for sure. Anyway, Gwen and I wanted to invite you and Antonio to dinner with us tomorrow night before she has to leave Saturday morning. She's dying to meet you."

"Antonio doesn't arrive until eight tomorrow night, sadly. I doubt he'll have the energy to go after his long flight."

"Hmm, that's fair. Another night then?"

"No!" My protest came automatically.

"No?" I could hear the confusion in his tone.

"Sorry! I meant "no" as in I would still love to dine with you and Gwen tomorrow night. Even if Antonio can't join." Then I added with hesitance, "Is...that alright?"

"Of course, it is. We're making reservations for six o'clock. Does that work for you?"

"Yup. I'll just head there straight after work."

"Cool. I'll text you the location. See you tomorrow then."

"Bye, Chase."

"Bye, Sophia Grace."

Sophia Grace...it'd been a long time since he called me that, I thought, smiling to myself.

When I got home, I made myself a BLT sandwich for dinner then changed into a pair of cotton shorts and loose tank top before settling on the couch to watch a movie. As nine o'clock neared, I anticipated Antonio's phone call, but it never came. I debated calling him myself then decided against it. He was probably busy—after all, it was approaching seven in the morning over in Geneva. Maybe he had an early meeting to prepare for.

Besides, he was coming home tomorrow anyway. I counted down the hours until I would be in his arms again, and his handsome face was the last image I conjured up in my mind before falling asleep on the couch.

***

When I arrived at the restaurant in downtown Santa Monica, my phone lit up with a text, and I couldn't help but feel a pinch of guilt upon reading it.