íris


    I wake to the feeling of a cool breeze kissing my cheek and the sound of rain pattering against the window. For a moment, I can''t help but smile; I''m home. Sleeping in my old bed. In the very same bed I once happily shared with my mate and will share with him again and again. Yawning, I roll onto my back and stretchnguidly.


    Slowly, the events of yesterdaye creeping back. My eyes crack open, and I expect to see Arthur sleeping beside me. I have to tell him the truth; I can''t keep this secret any longer.


    But when I look over, I find his side of the bed empty.


    I sit up, looking around. The en suite bathroom door is open, the bathroom unupied. Suddenly, I spot a sticky note sitting on my bedside table. I pick it up and see that it''s a note from Arthur exining that he had a work emergency and won''t be back untilter tonight.


    Well, so much for that.


    With a sigh, I climb out of bed and get dressed. I packed some extra clothes for our overnight trip, so I pull on a pair of leggings and a tank top; but it''s colder today due to the rain, so I grab one of Arthur''s knit sweaters out of the closet and pull that on.


    I smile again as I inhale his scent. Thest time I did this, I hid in his closet and fell asleep there like a desperate weirdo. Now, I can wear his clothes again with pride, just like I used to do.


    If only I weren''t keeping such a huge secret from him. But I know I''ll tell him as soon as possible. If not today, then tomorrow. (1)


    Miles is already awake when I go downstairs. I make us both breakfast consisting of buttery toast and omelets, which Miles eats with gusto. As I''m cleaning up, I suggest visiting Clyde and Augustine, and Miles excitedly agrees to apany


    me.


    In the lobby, Miles immediately runs to Clyde, arms outstretched. "Hey there, little man!" Clyde exims, ruffling Miles'' hair. "I heard you''d be around today. Are you here to help me with the door again?"


    Miles nods with a grin. Clyde chuckles. "You were really good at pressing the buttonst time, so that''s your job today."


    After Clyde and I exchange pleasantries—I find out that his niece was in town recently and they checked out all of the major Ordan attractions, even the zoo, much to Clyde''s chagrin because seeing the monkeys in cages depresses him-l make my way to Augustine''s door.


    "Iris, dear!" Augustine''s face lights up when she opens the door. "I heard you were here. Come in,e in."


    Her apartment smells likevender and old books, just as it always has. "Tea?" Augustine asks, already heading to the kitchen without waiting for my answer. "Please," I call after her.


    A few minutester, she returns with a tray bearing two mismatched teacups and


    a te of shortbread cookies. Her hands shake slightly as she pours, but she manages without spilling.


    "So," she says, sitting in her favorite armchair across from me, "tell me everything.


    I hear you and Arthur are back together?"


    I smile, taking a sip of the perfectly brewed tea. "We are. It''s been... wonderful, actually."


    "But?" Augustine''s sharp eyes study me over the rim of her cup.


    $


    "But what?"


    "There''s something you''re not telling me, dear. I may be old and addled, but I''m not blind."


    My throat bobs. Even with her recent memory issues, Augustine has always been perceptive, especially when ites to matters of the heart. I''m d to see she hasn''t lost that ability to the throes of her dementia, but I''m also chagrined that she noticed. "It''splicated."


    "Love usually is." She sets down her cup with a gentle clink "Whatever it is, you should talk to Arthur about it."


    "I want to," I admit, surprised by how easily the wordse out. "I really do. But there are... other people involved. Other considerations."


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