Chương 8 - THE HOUSE WITH NO LOCKED BEDROOMS
Elena did not move back to Chicago.
Not immediately.
For another year, she split time between Colorado and Illinois.
Dante visited Boulder twice.
He stayed in a hotel.
The first visit, Elena asked:
“Why didn’t you stay here?”
“You didn’t invite me.”
She stared.
“You flew twelve hundred miles.”
“Yes.”
“And got a hotel?”
“Yes.”
“You are deeply irritating.”
“I’ve heard.”
She invited him the second time.
Guest room.
Dante did not complain.
By the third visit, she stood in the hallway and said:
“You know this is ridiculous.”
“Yes.”
“Come to my room.”
He stared.
Elena raised an eyebrow.
“Do I need paperwork?”
“No.”
“Good.”
The first night they slept beside each other again, nothing happened.
That mattered.
Elena woke at 3:14 a.m.
Dante was awake too.
“How long?”
he asked.
“What?”
“Have you been awake?”
“Ten minutes.”
“Nightmare?”
“No.”
“Then?”
Elena looked at him.
“I keep waiting to want to lock the door.”
His face tightened.
“Do you?”
“No.”
He exhaled.
She touched his chest.
“I wanted you every night.”
Dante closed his eyes.
“Don't.”
“What?”
“Tell me things that make me want to hate three years.”
“They happened.”
“I know.”
“So did we.”
He looked at her.
Elena continued:
“I don't want those years to become only tragedy.”
“What else were they?”
“The reason I learned what I’m capable of.”
“That sounds too forgiving.”
“Not of you.”
Fair.
She smiled.
“Of myself.”
The next morning, Dante made breakfast.
Badly.
Elena accused him of weaponizing eggs.
He accepted responsibility.
Their relationship became ordinary in small pieces.
Arguments over flights.
Work schedules.
Laundry.
Whether Dante needed security at a grocery store.
He claimed yes.
Elena said no.
They compromised at one person in a car outside.
Ridiculous.
Still progress.
Then came the question everyone else wanted answered.
Marriage.
Evelyn asked first.
Elena hung up.
Adrian asked Dante once.
He received a look and never repeated it.
Grace was smarter.
She said:
“If you two marry again, I’m drafting the prenup.”
Neither had mentioned marrying.
That made both think about it.
May you like
Dangerous woman.
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