Stir Me (Rouse Me 2)

"Did you eat?" she asks.

"Yeah."

"Oh." She frowns. She probably wants to make this a long dinner. "I guess we'll just have drinks."

I find the corkscrew and open the bottle of wine. Its rich, fruity smell wafts through the apartment.

"Luke." Her voice is low, like she's worried. "Are you okay?"

I nod. As far as Samantha knows, everything is perfect between me and Alyssa. But if she really is jealous, if she really is in love with me... she'll be happy that Alyssa asked for space. She'll be happy that I'm losing the most important thing in my life.

I pour two glasses of wine and take a seat at the kitchen table. Samantha slips out of her heels and sits across from me.

Her eyes are fixed on me. "I have exciting news."

Please let it be that she has a boyfriend, something that will assuage the uneasiness filling my gut.

"What's that?" I ask.

"I got the job." Her face lights up with a smile. "Are you happy for me?"

"Of course."

She brings her glass to mine. It's time to toast. I am happy for her, but I'm happier for me. A job is the first step to Samantha moving on with her life, to her needing me less.

"That's great." I take a long sip of the wine, but it tastes like nothing. I know it's a vibrant shade of crimson, but it looks like nothing. This whole place is nothing.

"I'm starting Monday. I couldn't have done it without you." She sets her glass on the table. "I wouldn't even be here without you."

"Yeah."

Samantha brings her gaze to me. She's happy. But there's something off about it.

Her gaze softens. "What's wrong?"

I shake my head. "Nothing."

"Please, I'd love to hear about anything except for the pathetic failure that is my life."

"You're not a pathetic failure," I say, but there's no meaning behind it. It's rote.

"Thanks. I was just... there's something bothering you." Samantha clears her throat. The joy on her face turns to something ugly. "Is it about your girlfriend?"

She looks so earnest, but I know it's all bullshit. "You weren't very polite at dinner."

"I was trying to make conversation."

"And the cake?"

She shrinks back. "I ate some cake. Is that a crime?"

"Look me in the eyes and swear you didn't know about Alyssa's history with an eating disorder."

Her eyes turn to the floor. "I didn't know it was still a problem."

Her voice doesn't waver, but there's still something off about it. Something I don't believe.

She polishes off her glass and refills it. "Why would I try to hurt her? What problem could I possibly have with your girlfriend?"