“Hang on.” Tess walked over to the dresser. “I’ve got a surprise for you. I was gonna wait ‘til later but… well, you'll see.”
Slipping her hand into the side pocket of her duffel bag, she pulled out the small bottle she purposely tucked there last night when she finished packing. It was made of plastic—due to their travels—but the familiar red cap and logo on the label made her think they were still at home.
After a long day at work, Jack had a nightly habit of having a single shot after dinner to help him to relax. She made a point of bringing a small bottle with her for their trip because she knew he would miss it.
But even with all her planning, she hadn’t remembered to pack a cup. Heading for the bathroom, she settled on taking one of the plastic dixie cups that the hotel staff left on the side of the sink. It was wrapped in plastic, nestled between the flat bar of soap and a small bottle of rose-scented shampoo. Perfect.
She poured out a shot of Jack’s favorite vodka before twisting the cap back on and tucking it in her pocket. Walking back into the cozy room, she handed him the cup.
“Ah, hell. If this is what I think it is, you’re a lifesaver, Tessie.”
With a mischievous grin, she held up the bottle and wagged it in his direction. “What do you think?”
Jack took a small sip. Savoring, he let out a short moan. And Tess knew she was forgiven for her part in their argument.
“Mm-hmm. Just what I needed to unwind from the drive. You know me so well.”
She did. She absolutely did.
“Enjoy your drink, honey.” Bending slightly, Tess ran her fingers down his leg. “Relax. You deserve it. Remember, you’re on vacation.”
“You, too, babe. And I meant what I said before. Go out, get a look at this Hamlet if you want,” he told her.
“If you’re really sure it’s okay,” she hedged.
“I am. It's fine. Here.” Lifting up off the bed, Jack slipped his hand into his back pocket. When he pulled it out again, he was holding onto one of the keycards. “Take this. You can have it. I shouldn't have said no before.”
She took the keycard from him, hugging it to her chest. “I really want to do just a little sightseeing. That's all. At the very least, maybe I can find someplace to buy you some headache medicine. I won't be gone long.”
His eyes were starting to close. Jack yawned, resettled himself in the bed. Tilting his head back, he tipped the rest of his nightcap into his mouth and swallowed. “Oh, yeah. That hit the spot.”
Watching him lay by himself in the bed, Tess started to feel bad. They were supposed to be doing their best to make their relationship work and what was she doing? Walking out on him the first chance she got. Just because she had the itch to explore and her plans got shot to hell the instant she yelled padiddle.
She hesitated. “Jack?”
“Mmm?”
“You sure you don’t mind?”
Jack opened his eyes. They were already starting to glaze over. From the way he seemed to struggle to lift his lids, she figured he must’ve been more beat than he let on. Of course, that made her feel even guiltier.
“I want you to be happy, Tessie. Just go easy on the tire, okay?” Reaching over, he placed his empty cup on the nightstand. It toppled over. He left it like that. “And don’t stay out too late.”
“I won’t. Trust me. I’ll probably just go out, get some fresh air, and come right back.”
“Okay. And do me a favor—if I’m sleeping when you get back, wake me up. I haven’t forgotten this is our second honeymoon. I’ll make it up to you later.”
Tess let out a sound that was half giggle, half snort. Just like that, Jack put her mind at ease. Her husband might be tired now, but he had a voracious appetite after he got a couple hours of sleep.
In the first couple of weeks after they got married, he was the one who did the random waking. Lately, though, she’d been sleeping through the night. It made her wonder if Jack didn’t find her attractive anymore. It felt good to be wanted. That was the one thing—the only thing—she ever asked for. To be loved and desired.
Grabbing her purse, Tess made sure to turn all the lights off so that he wouldn’t have to. Then, leaning down, she pressed her lips softly to his cheek. “Love you, Jack.”
Her only answer was a snore. He was fast asleep.
Some time—especially in the last year—sitting in a dark bar seemed to lose some of its luster.
To be honest, Tessa hadn’t had much hope when she took Jack’s car and went looking for something to entertain her. There was only one inn in Hamlet, and the woman at the front desk was no concierge.