Despite Laury's teasing and increased curiosity, Giselle didn't slip. She barricaded herself in one part of the shop, redecorating it from the ground up while unpacking the new collection and resorting the old into a more frequented part of the shop.

After her 8 hour day was done, she took the bus home. Ian wouldn't arrive until an hour later. Somehow she didn't feel hungry and instead fell onto the couch. With a sigh, she brushed her curls back and stared at the white ceiling. "I need to tell him eventually. This is going to get messy...", she told the empty room quietly and then closed her eyes.

She must have dozed off, since Ian's arrival shook her awake. She glanced over to him and he looked genuinely surprised, "Work was exhausting, huh?". Giselle nodded and curled up while facing towards him. "I'll prepare Tortilla wraps with some vegetables and salad? Is that ok?", he suggested. She just nodded again, unwilling to argue about it. Tortilla wraps was always his first suggestion when nothing else was up for debate. She closed her eyes again and avoided the dreadful thoughts about the dinner conversation. On her way home, she had checked her phone. 23 messages from Annie. Her response?

Giselle: "On my way home, I'll take some time later to respond, alright?"

Annie: "Sure, be safe! :kiss:"

Ian woke her a second time when he placed a plate with two beautifully wrapped Tortillas in front of her. The living room smelled of spices and seasoning and fried vegetables. With a groan she pushed herself up. Her husband's plate had four Tortillas. Both dug in and ate in silence for a while, as she didn't know how to address Annie.

On the second wrap, Ian took it upon himself to start a conversation. "Today at lunch I ran into Cel. She's back in town, took a job as a secretary at International Cargo Ltd", he said. While chewing, he looked at Giselle and almost choked. Her stare resembled piercing daggers. She didn't like Celestine. She grunted, "And so you went out for lunch with her, since having lunch with your ex is a good idea!". Ian turned back to his food, visibly ridden with guilt, "Just seemed nice to see her again after such a long time. I agreed to have dinner with her on Saturday, too". "You did what?", Giselle gasped hysterically.

And then the gears turned in Giselle's head. Maybe this wasn't so bad after all. Minimum she didn't have to mention her evening with Annie. So he feels guilty, I feel guilty, maybe I don't need to say anything, she thought and returned her attention back to Ian, who had noticed her distraction. "You're not --- mad anymore?", he frowned and tilted his head left and right and back left, as if she had hidden her mood somewhere on the side of her head, just to have it pop out and scare him when he least suspected.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Nah, it's ok I guess. It's been what now... 8 years? And she probably looks all wrinkled and old", she mused and chewed another bite down. Ian knew better than to correct her, so he frowned, shrugged and wondered, "So it's ok if we go out for dinner?". "Oh sure, do you want Annie and me to tag along?", she gave him a sideways glance.

Women were witty, they tended to lay traps for the unaware. Ian looked like a cornered mouse on an island of cats. Finally he raised one corner of his mouth into a distorted smile, "Maybe? Do you want me to ask her?". Giselle nodded at him, "I'll ask Annie". She grinned to herself as she chewed down the second wrap. "Are you going to see Annie tonight again?", he asked all of a sudden and she blushed. He didn't notice. She did her best to keep her focus on her food, "Do you want me out of the living room?". "What? No! Wait, you didn't check our calendar, did you? That's odd, you usually do. Anyway, I'm over at Gary's for poker night. And while you're always welcome to join, since Vince tends to bring Pam, and Gary's oldest, Pam, is going to be there, too. How did we end up with two Pams at the same poker table, huh. I just thought I'd ask, since I'll be off til midnight or something", he gestured defensively. "Oh sure, but I am pretty tired, don't blame me if I fall asleep on her couch!", she laughed and tried to quench her guilty conscience with it. When Ian responded, "Just be here for breakfast", she almost felt sorry. Almost. The excitement in her chest made her heartbeat quicken. A grin spread across her lips. "I knew you'd want to see her!", came his innocent encouragement, "I'm so glad you two made up!".

When the dishes were done and Ian went to collect a new pack of cards, some poker chips, cash and a six pack of Grundberry's Finest, she sent Annie a text.

Giselle: "Do you want me to come over tonight? Ian is out for poker :flushed:"

Annie: "Sure! I was about to watch Goblet of Fire, but I'll hold off until you're here! :bright_smile:"

With an unbuttoned blouse and pants in her hands, Giselle went into the bedroom to change. Ian gave her an interested glance, waited next to the door and watched her change into her pajamas with a smile on his lips. He always liked to watch her. Her bra went into the laundry, the blouse and pants into the wardrobe, her laced thong stayed. When both left the apartment and locked the door, Giselle wore thin, satin pajamas that highlighted every curve on her body. She carried a pack of potato chips and a bottle of red wine. Not even socks were on her feet, but she had bound the hair into a bun. Ian wore jeans and a tee. All of the poker accessories and the drinks ended up in a basket, as he needed to carry them two buildings down the street. They kissed goodbye and a smiling Giselle vanished in Annie's unlocked door, trembling with excitement, while Ian whistled a happy tune until he was out of the building.