I wipe the sour cream from the corner of my mouth as I watch Jasen struggle with his overstuffed taco. “I told you, you added too many toppings.”
He takes a bite before it crumbles apart. “You can never have too many toppings,” he responds after he swallows.
I shake my head. “You’ve got way too much guacamole.”
He looks down at it. “This is fresh guacamole. I don’t think I have enough.”
After we left the antique shop, I got hungry. I saw this taco spot on the way home and suggested we stop here. His expression was priceless. He looks around the place. “You know, I like this.”
“Like what?”
“Everything about today. Having lunch together, shopping at the antique store, and sitting here eating messy tacos. I like this new version of us. The new version of you.”
“What version is that?”
“You seem… carefree. You’re dressing more comfortably. You’re no longer allowing money to define you. Or labels. Or status. You seem happy with me today, no matter what we were doing.”
“That’s because I was.”
The plan has failed. I was supposed to pretend to be Monroe. I was supposed to do all the things she likes to do. Wear the things she likes to wear. I haven’t done that at all. I’ve worn my own clothing. I haven’t worn much lingerie for Jasen, besides a few pair of sexy panties. They do the job, but they’re nothing compared to what I saw in her drawer that night. I don’t talk like her at all. I can’t speak with such narcissism and disrespect. And instead of giving Jasen the impression that I’ve given up on the marriage, I’ve done the opposite. I’ve made things better. Made him believe the marriage is worth saving and that Monroe is doing everything possible to work things out. I’ve shown him a different side of his wife. A side he never knew existed. What’s going to happen when Monroe returns? What’s going to happen when she drops the bomb that she’s leaving him for Cooper? How is Jasen going to feel when she tells him that she no longer loves him? I didn’t think about this when I decided to be myself. I was too busy enjoying Jasen’s attention, wishing it was for me to keep. I know my sister. And no matter how much I convince her otherwise, she’s got her mind made up. She doesn’t realize what she has is special. Does she realize how many women would give their right arm to have a husband like Jasen? Including myself. I shake my head at the thought. It’s only been a few days, but I’m getting in too deep. I can feel it. I can feel myself wishing I were her. For the first time in my life, I’m living. I’m happy. I know what it feels like to have a man love me. Really love me. And although I know that this will all end in a week, I really wish it didn’t have to.
Jasen
Last night was the most fun Monroe and I have had in a long time. It felt like we were teenagers again. Just hanging out. Enjoying each other’s company and eating whatever we could afford. Long before we could afford shopping sprees and expensive restaurants. It felt carefree. Genuine. I never stopped loving my wife. But yesterday, I found myself falling in love with her all over again. She said she would try, and damn if she hasn’t stuck to her word.
I exhale loudly as I’m knee-deep in files right now. Since I had to fire Ariel yesterday, I’m currently on the hunt for a new assistant. And it’s not going so well. I have no idea where she kept my schedule, the phone is ringing off the hook, and I’m pretty sure I broke the coffee machine this morning. I have three other employees here. Sean, my accountant. Silvia in IT, who is out on maternity leave. And Jake, the janitor. None of them are of any help to me right now. I find the file I think I’m looking for and open it with hope. “Damn it!”
“Everything okay?” Monroe asks from my doorway.
This is the second time she’s visited me in the office this week. And just like yesterday, she looks good enough to eat. She’s wearing a black pencil skirt, a pink blouse, and a pair of pumps. Her hair is in a braid on the side. She’s dressed like she wants to role-play. Student/teacher, or boss/employee. And as much as I would like to take her up on her offer, I can’t. I’m way too busy. “Hey.”
“You look busy.”
“I’m swamped. With Cooper out of town and Ariel gone, I’m losing my mind. Sorry, sweetheart, I’d love to have lunch with you again today, but I just don’t have the time to eat right now.” I stop what I’m doing and drag my eyes from her head to her toe. “Even though I’d love to rip that skirt off you right now and have a taste.”
She shakes her head as she walks towards me. “I’m not here for lunch today.”
This catches my attention. “Is something wrong?”
“No. I’m here to help you.”
“Help me?”
“Yeah. I know you thought Ariel was good help, but I can be just as good. I’ll help you until you hire a new assistant.”
I’m now convinced that Monroe is using drugs. Or has had a mental breakdown. No way in hell would she suggest helping me. She hates working. “Are you being serious, honey? Because now is not the time to joke about—”
She cuts me off. “I’m serious, Jasen.”
“Okay. Am I paying you for your services?”
She giggles as she turns to walk away. “We’ll figure something out.”
An hour later, Monroe pokes her head in my office. “You have a conference call at two o’clock with a Sally Arden.”
“Shit, I don’t know where Ariel kept her file.”
She walks over to my desk and leans over me. She clicks something on the screen, and the image of a folder pops up. “I’m scanning all of your files electronically. This way, you can find a file with the click of a button. Sally’s file was scanned in this morning.”
I look closer at the screen. Everything is there. She’s even filed it by last name. “Well, I’ll be damned. How come Ariel never thought of this?”
“Because she wasn’t as good as you thought she was.”
She’s clicking on something else to show me. But I’m too busy inhaling her perfume and staring at her tits to notice. “Jasen, pay attention.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. But damn, you look sexy today.”
She swats me on the shoulder. “I’m here to help you. Professionally.”
I turn my focus to the screen. “Okay.”
“This is your calendar. I linked it to your email, so you’ll get notifications fifteen minutes before your conference calls and a day before your meetings. For your out-of-town meetings, you’ll get the notification a week before.”
I’m in awe. “How did you learn to do all of this?”
She pauses for a second. “I, ahh, I had a clerical job in high school.”
“I don’t remember you working when we were in high school.”
“It was before I met you.”
“I’m impressed, baby. You’ve been a big help today. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“How about I take you to dinner tonight as a way of saying thank you?”
She places her hand on her hip. “Are you asking your assistant on a date, Mr. Baker?” she asks seductively.