Chapter 3: Love's Secret Fight

I woke up on Sunday groggily, and turned over to see Robert staring at me. “Morning Liz.” I grunted a greeting and yawned loudly. “Liz, I’ve got to go to work today.” “Okay, see you.” I didn’t want him to see my watery eyes. He touched my shoulder lightly. “About yesterday, I.” he hesitated. I sniffed loudly. “You’re going to be late.” I cut him off. “Yeah, I should get going.” He said quietly. I heard him grab Jasper’s leash, put it on him, close the door and drive off. I sat up in the bed. It was eight-thirty. I had twenty minutes to get ready and head to work. After I had taken a shower and eaten breakfast, I remembered I didn’t have to go to work until Monday. Deciding to head to the coffee shop, then the book store, I jumped into my car, turned the volume up and sped down the road. 1

Sipping my latté at the book store, I skimped through a couple of romance books and sighed at different, spicy passages that caught my eye. “Excuse me ma’am, I couldn’t help notice your romance books, empty seat, and longing sighs.” I looked up, embarrassed. “Oh, I’m sorry; I didn’t realize I was so noisy.” No, no, you weren’t noisy at all; I just thought you could use some company.” “May I?” “Certainly!” I cleared the area around the empty seat, off. He sat down. “I’m Arno, and you are?” “Elizabeth, but you can call me Liz.” We shook hands. “So Liz, what’s a girl like you doing in a place like this, and alone at that?” “Oh you know, just having a break from society, I really enjoy reading.” He picked up a book and read the review on the back. “This one sounds, very interesting,” I laughed casually. He raised an eyebrow and picked up another one. “Oh, my!” I blushed and quickly took the book from him. “How did this one get here?” I mumbled. Arno chuckled and rested his chin on his hands and looked up at me. “You know, you have beautiful eyes.” I laughed uneasily. “Thanks, my husband thinks so too.” He looked surprised. “Married, wow, where’s the ring at?” “Well, we just got married and.” Arno gave me a sly grin. “No need to go into details, any man should consider himself lucky, to have someone as gorgeous as you.” He got up. “Take care Liz, maybe we’ll cross paths again.” “It was very nice meeting you.” He winked at me and left. I placed my head on the table. “How interesting.” I thought. I paid for a book, tossed my latte, and headed back home.2

Robert’s patrol car was in the driveway when I got home. Inside I was welcomed with the smell of pizza, a box of hot wings, and a two ounce bottle of soda. I’d always tell Robert, one day his eating habits would catch up with his body. “That may be,” he would say “but until then.” He’d lift up his shirt, revealing perfectly sculpted abs. I rummaged through the cabinets and found some paper plates and brought one back to Robert. “Hey Liz.” “Hello Robert.” We didn’t speak anymore. After I’d slammed down three slices and some hot wings, I decided to work it all off. Changing into some sweatpants, and an old t-shirt, I headed to the back room. “It’s me and you treadmill.” I circled around it; finally I jumped on it, cranked it on high and tried to maintain my breathing. After about twenty minutes I collapsed in a pile on the floor. “Who was I kidding?” I attempted a couple of sit-ups and leg lifts then gave up. Starring up at the ceiling, I daydreamed. The television in the living room blared noisily and I tried to zone out, thinking about Arno. I pondered for a moment and than began to concentrate on his features. “ Hm, short, shiny, black hair, distinguishing green eyes, a European accent, tall and mysterious, but pretty sexy all in all. “Liz?” Robert stood in the doorway with his head cocked sideways. I gasped, startled, and jumped up. Without a word, I threw my arms around him and clung to his neck, my head lying on his chest. Surprised, he stumbled at my sudden weight and hugged me back. We stood there for a moment, in each others grasp, I sighed in content, breathing in his smell. “ Lizzy,” he whispered. “Hm?” “You smell horrible.” I growled and broke free from him, pushing past him. ‘ Come on, it’s just a joke.” He reached out and caught my arms pulling me into him and kissing me lightly on the lips. “You don’t always have to take me so seriously gullible Lizzy. I hung my head in shame from both his words and my thinking of another man. Robert rocked me back and forth, his chin on my head. “Do you have anything else planned for the rest of today? I shook my head no. “Great, Mark and Rachael want to double date, you up for it?” I shrugged. “Sure, I guess so, I’ll go take a shower.” He crinkled his nose. “You do that.” I crossed my eyes at him and headed off to shower.3