She have known him since college, long before I was ever in the picture.
They were close, the kind of close where inside jokes needed no explanation and hug lasted a second too long. Still, I never said a word. I loved her. I trusted her.
That night, he came over for dinner. It wasn't the
first time. He brought wine, the fancy kind-and
took off his shoes at the door Ilike he owned the
place. They talked and t laughed like no time had
passed, and I played the part of the supportive
husband, smiling, nodding, sipping my drink. But
something felt off. Not obvious, just enough to
make the back of my neck prickle. The way she
tucked her hair behind her ear when he
complimnented her, or how he leaned in too close
when he spoke to her, these little things, small
enough to ignore. At one point, I excused myself
to takea call. Just two minutes or maybe less.
The hallway was quiet, but the conversation in
the living room died the moment I stepped away.
Something told me not to answer the call. I hung
up and without speaking and walked back,
slower this time. And that's when I saw it. They
didn't see me. Not at first. I stood just behind the
wall the edge of the s kitchen in my peripheral. I
wasn't eavesdropping not really. I wasn't
expecting anything. He had his hand on hers.
That was the first thingI noticed. Nothing
dramatic just fingertips, resting lightly like he
did done it a thousand times before. She didn't
pull away. He said something-low, too soft for
me to hear. She smiled, then laughed in that
quiet way she only does when she's nervous. I
knew that laugh. I knew it because I have seen it
once before years ago when she was still
deciding if she loved me back.
My chest went tightened.
Not rage. Not sadness. Just cold.
Heavy. Then he leaned in. Not a kiss. Not quite.
But his face was close far too close And she
didn't move. She just stared at him like they were
the only two people in the world. Then came the
kiss. I stepped forward. The floor creaked. Her
eyes snapped to mine. Everything changed in an
instant, the warmth in her expression
evaporated, replaced with guilt. He leaned back,
quick. Too quick. Neither of them said a word.
And that was when I realized; it wasn't about
what had happened in those two minutes or less
as this wasn't the beginning it was just the first
time I saw it.
