Attraction

44.

I wake up with Paul's legs tangled with my own as my head rests on his chest, soft snores leave his lips as I sit up in bed. As he sits up in bed, he places a gentle kiss on my forehead causing me to smile.

"I'm going to go to work, I have a early shift today." I tell him, he nods his head sleepily.

"Okay, I'll see you sometime tonight." He responds tiredly, I head toward the bathroom to shower.

After my shower, I get dressed for work and drive to the shop to open the store. I do my usual routine of putting a few items on the shelves, working at the register, and making the occasional small talk with the customers that come into the store. My shift goes by quicker than I expected it to as it's already five pm and I started at scene am—I clock out of work and hurry to my car as the rain pours down on me.

I make a quick run by the grocery store to get a few items to make dinner tonight, I want to make spaghetti bolognese—Paul and I haven't had that in forever. I smile to myself remembering when I had cooked it for him at my apartment when we had first met, that feels like so long ago.

Time really did go by for us. By the time I'm finished cooking dinner it's close to seven pm, I smile to myself at the delicious smelling food that fills the house.

As I grab two plates from the cupboard I fix one for Paul filling it to a larger portion than my own and setting it on the counter to wait for him. A hour goes by and I can't wait any longer, I devour my dinner and I wash my plate as I put away my dishes and put up the food. My head turns toward the front door as I stiff looking Paul walks inside the house, it's nine pm—he hasn't gotten off work this late in a while.

"Hey." I greet him with a cheerful smile, he glances at me with a dry expression.

"Hi." He responds in a monotone voice. This isn't normally like him, did he have a bad day at work?

"Are you okay?" I question in a worried tone. Paul suddenly clenches his jaw and closes his eyes for a moment before inhaling deeply through his nose. He opens his eyes and briefly looks at me.

"Fine." He responds again sounding monotone. A frown forms on my face, he's definitely not okay.

"Did I do something wrong..?" I ask softly, he downs reply. "Well... I made your plate if you want some food..." I trail off feeling my voice becoming uneasy.

I watch as Paul tenses up at my words, he ignores me before walking to the bathroom and roughly closing the door. I hear the sound of the shower starting as I stand there feeling confused as ever.

What just happened? Did I do something wrong? Did he just have a really bad day at work tonight? I decide on changing out of my work clothes into something comfortable, my leggings and a t-shirt. I brush through my hair carefully when I hear the shower turn off.

The bathroom door opens and Paul walks in the bedroom with a towel around his waist. I'm hoping he's calmer now but his facial expression is tense and his fists are clenched.

He glances at me causing me to get the feeling he wants me to leave the room while he changes. I walk out of the room and go sit on the couch, maybe I can get him to talk to me. Paul makes his way into the living room as I turn to face him, he sits at the chair across from me and runs his fingers through his hair. A heavy sigh leaves his lips, I've never seen him this way before—it worries me. My heart begins to beat quickly in my chest now.

"Hey— Talk to me. What's wrong?" I plea with him urgently; something doesn't feel right.

He closes his eyes for a few moments seemingly unable to speak, he deeply exhales through his nose.