Invisible String

Chapter 42 - All Too Well

When we finished, he laid on the table with me, smiling back at me like a kid. "We are going out tonight to celebrate."

"You already spent enough on me, I'm sure. We don't have to go out."

"I want to," he said, leaning forward and kissing me. "And consider the ring like an early birthday gift or something. It truly wasn't that expensive."

"Truly, huh?"

"Yes," he kissed my collar bone and pulled me closer to him. "Under a thousand dollars."

"Really?" I said, pulling back and staring at him.

"Yes, really. I know how you feel about money."

"And you respect that?"

"Yes, I do."

He smiled, then kissed me again. After, he got off the table and pulled on his pants while I pulled down my skirt and stepped off with him.

"Thank you, then, for everything, Jaiden."

"You're very welcome."

He held on to my hand as I grabbed my purse and slipped into some heels.

"Where are we going? Are heels appropriate?"

"Yes, you should be fine."

I turned my head. "Should be fine? Like should I bring flats just in case?"

"No, you will be fine." He pulled me towards the door. "Now, come on. I don't want to miss it."

"Miss what? Where are we going?" I asked as the elevator doors shut.

"It's a surprise."

"I hate surprises," I said, arms across my chest, staring ahead as the doors opened and let us out on the main floor.

"I know," he said, kissing me quickly before stepping out and reaching out for my hand. "But you are unbearably cute when you pout."

I grinned and took his hand as he led me away.

We went out that night, took a ferry around the area, and ate at a nice, quiet restaurant far off somewhere peaceful. I loved every minute of it, and when we came back, we made love a second time, much more beautiful than any other time before it.

The next morning I woke up to a voicemail from Paul.

"Hannah, it's Paul. I just wanted to call and tell you the great news! The book is going to be published within the next two weeks. So we'd like to discuss with you some promotional stuff. We've already started printing, the posters for the book are heading out to bookstores across the country as we speak. We have reviewers receiving the first copies of the book to get some reviews out before we release it. The rest of it we can discuss in person. Call me back and let me know if you're available for lunch today at noon. I'll send a car to pick you up at your house. Hope to hear from you soon."

I smiled as I put down the phone and looked into Jaiden's eyes.

"Good news?"

"I think so, yeah."

"I like good news," he smiled at me.

"Me, too."

I called back Paul and set up lunch with him, and when I asked if I could bring Jaiden with, he was hesitant since it was business, but ultimately he said it was okay. I also gave him Jaiden's address to pick us up from.

"Hannah, I don't have to go," Jaiden said while getting dressed. "At some point, we will have to do our own things. You will have to trust me again."

"I know," I said, slipping into a navy blue summer dress. "I just don't want to do this alone."

"You could have Robin go with, couldn't you? He is your agent. Shouldn't he be part of the planning process for your book tour?"

"Shit..." I put in earrings and grabbed my phone. I dialed Robin and told him about the meeting. He had to clear lunch plans with his husband but agreed to meet me at the restaurant.

"Okay, Robin's coming. But you still are, too." I walked over to him and kissed him on the lips.

"I'm just going to be a nuisance."

"You hardly speak, that's not possible."

"Hannah–"

"Jaiden, please. I don't want to fight about this right now."

"And you think I do? Do you realize how much it sucks that I have to re-earn all of your trust back?"

"That's not what this is about, Jaiden," I said, reaching out for him, but he pulled away. He walked out of the bedroom, and I followed him out into the kitchen, where he instinctively opened the liquor cabinet. I stood back, and he turned around to face me, a glass in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other. "Is that a good idea?" I asked, circling the island counter over to him. "I thought this could be a vice to replace the other one."

"I've had two drinks since I quit. And I've been fine." He said, pouring a glass.

I put my hand over the glass as he went to take a drink.

"Dammit, Hannah, what the fuck do you want from me?" He yelled, throwing the glass at the wall behind me.

I stumbled backward, frightened. He was fuming. He glared, then stormed out of the room, the bottle of whiskey still clutched tightly in his other hand.

I followed him, trying to avoid the broken glass, but as I stepped out into the dining room, I felt a sharp sting from my foot, and I howled out. Jaiden turned around and dropped the bottle on the floor, then walked over to me, still pissed off. He grabbed a chair from the dining table, then got down on one knee in front of me, pushed me to sit down, and pulled my foot up to look at it.

I took in a sharp breath as he touched the arch in my foot.

"It's small, a sliver." He looked up at me, his eyes still hard. "I'm going to pull it out."

I nodded to him, and he quickly pulled the piece of glass out. It was small, almost fine as a needle. He tossed it into the nearby garbage can, then stood and looked me in the eyes. "I'm not going with you, Hannah. I'm sorry."

He walked away, picked up the bottle of whiskey, and went back into his bedroom.

I stood up, cleaned off my foot in the bathroom, then grabbed my purse from the living room, and left.