The Perfect Husband: A nail biting gripping psychological thriller

Chapter 4

As soon as I arrived at the office the next morning, I found out my client needed to move back the showing by two hours. I looked down at the black skirt and white blouse I was wearing, knowing I’d no longer have time to shower and change before meeting Eric. It wasn’t exactly the look I was going for, but it’d have to do. The listing agent called to tell me the buyers had accepted the Randalls’ offer. I called the Randalls right away to deliver the good news. Maybe this was a sign of more good things to come.

The day dragged on. I caught myself checking the clock every thirty minutes. I couldn’t remember the last time I was this excited and nervous.

After showing my clients the property, I headed to the restaurant and slid into the restroom to freshen up. I pulled out my hair clip and bent over, running my fingers through my long chestnut strands. When I stood, my hair fell across my back and I brought the sides forward so they fell softly over my shoulders.

I stared into the mirror and touched up my smoky eye shadow. I used to hate my amber eyes, wishing instead for green or blue. But I’d grown quite fond of them over the years. It occurred to me that I looked more and more like my mother with time. She, too, had golden eyes and red-brown hair with orange undertones. I never knew my father. Mom and him never married. He died in a motorcycle accident before I was born. I asked Mom about him a time or two, but she never wanted to talk about him.

I pulled the lip gloss wand out of my purse and slid it over my lips, then mashed them together. This is as good as you’re going to look, Shelly!

My heart pounded as I walked into the restaurant lobby. I felt as if the photos of famous Italian composers hanging on the wooden paneled walls were staring at me. ‘O Sole Mio’ played softly in the background. I looked around, wondering if the guy in the black suit with the leather satchel checking in with the maître d’ was Eric. He turned around and smiled. ‘Shelly?’

He was even more handsome in person – tall with sandy blonde hair and bluish-steel eyes, the color of storm clouds right before lightning strikes.

I nodded and he walked over. ‘Hi, Eric.’

He smiled. ‘Finally, we meet in person. Your online profile photo doesn’t do you justice,’ he said.

‘Thanks.’ My insides tingled. I felt excited and scared at the same time. I wanted to tell him the same, but I didn’t want him to think I was only saying it because he did.

The maître d’ escorted us to our table, tucked in the back corner of the dimly lit dining room and Eric pulled out the chair for me. Good manners, a definite plus!

Eric sat down, placing his satchel next to his chair, and ordered a bottle of wine. Takes control of the situation. A man who knows what he wants.

‘I can’t believe we’re finally sitting across from one another,’ he said. ‘I’ve thought about this moment since our first text.’

I smiled. ‘So how was the drive here?’

‘Not bad. Two hours went fast.’

My pulse slowed a bit. I was in a familiar place and I knew that if things went south, I’d be rescued in about an hour when Jackie called. Eric opened his menu and I did the same. I glanced down at a familiar list of entrees. I always plan to try something new when I eat at Bella’s, but it seems I always fall back on my favorite – chicken piccata.

I looked up from the menu to find Eric staring at me. ‘You look beautiful tonight.’

My cheeks grew warm as I felt the dopamine rush of a new romance. ‘Thank you.’

‘Do you know what you want?’ Eric asked.

‘Everything here is fabulous, but I’m going with the chicken piccata. How about you?’

‘I was thinking about trying the pork sofrito. It sounds good.’

‘It is good.’

The waiter returned with the bottle of Pinot Grigio Eric had ordered and took our order.

‘We’ll have the bruschetta pomodoro and beet salads to start,’ Eric said. ‘My lovely date will have chicken piccata and I will have the pork sofrito.’

We settled into easy conversation and little by little my pulse slowed.

After enjoying the bruschetta pomodoro, the waiter served our beet salads.

‘I think this is the best beet salad I’ve ever had,’ Eric said.

I picked up my wine glass. ‘It’s delicious but not as good as my grandma’s. She made the best.’

Eric smiled. ‘Tell me about your family.’

‘There’s actually not that much to tell.’ I sat my wine glass down. ‘I have no siblings and my mother was a single parent.’

Eric’s eyelids closed for a millisecond, as if he was trying to imagine me as a child. ‘So no brothers or sisters? Or dad?’

I nodded. ‘That’s right. Just me, Mom and Grandma. Now they’re gone and it’s just me.’ I blinked, trying to keep the tears I felt coming at bay. I usually didn’t tear up when I talked about my family. Maybe the wine was making me a bit melancholy.

Eric sat back in his seat. ‘I’m sorry to hear that.’

I retrieved a tissue from my purse and dabbed the corners of my eyes. ‘But I have a best friend and she’s like family. Jackie and I have known each other since kindergarten.’

‘I bet you were a precocious child,’ Eric teased.

I shrugged. ‘Maybe a little.’

‘I’d love to hear about your childhood. What was it like. What were you like?’

I hadn’t expected his question so I wasn’t prepared to answer quickly. I had to think about it. I chewed on my lower lip. ‘Definitely a tomboy. I loved playing basketball. My mom enrolled me in ballet classes, but I was as graceful as a groundhog. I was more comfortable with a ball in my hands.’

Eric chuckled. ‘What sports did you play besides basketball?’

‘Baseball and soccer. And I was very competitive. I hated to lose.’

‘Do you still play?’

‘Oh gosh no. The last time I hit or kicked or sunk a ball, I was wearing training bras and braces.’

Eric laughed. ‘Well, we should play sometime. If you don’t mind losing, that is.’

I tilted my head and narrowed my eyes. ‘Why, Mr Talbot, are you challenging me?’

‘Why not? It might be fun to play you at horse and see who wins. That is, if you’re up to the challenge.’

I held out my hand. ‘Challenge accepted.’

My cell phone rang. It was Jackie. I excused myself and went to the restroom.

‘So, how’s it going?’ Jackie asked.

‘So far, so good. He’s good-looking, even better than his photo online. He just challenged me to a game of horse.’

‘Horse? As in basketball?’

‘Yes.’

‘Okay. It sounds like you don’t need to be rescued. Call me when you get home. I want to hear everything!’

I returned to the table just as the waiter arrived with our main entrees. ‘Can I get you anything else?’ he asked.

Eric looked at me and I shook my head.

‘I think we’re fine for now,’ Eric said. ‘Thanks.’

We settled back into easy conversation between bites. ‘So, now that you know I was a tomboy, what were you like as a kid?’

‘I wasn’t into team sports as much as you,’ Eric said. ‘Not that I never played, but I preferred fishing, hunting, riding horses and other outdoor activities. And I loved to read. I did a lot of that.’

‘A reader, huh? What did you read?’

Eric shrugged. ‘The usual stuff. I especially liked scary books. Still do.’

I scrunched my face. ‘I hate scary books. Jackie gave me one to read once and I couldn’t get past the first chapter. I hate being scared.’

‘What types of things scare you?’

‘I hate snakes and spiders but most of all I hate clowns.’

Eric laughed. ‘Clowns. Really?’

‘Yes, really. They’re creepy.’ I felt a strong need to convey the seriousness of my answer, however stupid it seemed. ‘Clowns have paint on their faces and you have no idea who they are. And their red cheeks are the scariest. You can never guess their intentions because of the masks they wear.’

‘Have you ever gone to the circus?’ Eric asked. ‘Those are nice clowns, right? They aren’t scary.’

‘All clowns are scary,’ I said. ‘What about you? Are you scared of anything?’

‘Hmm. Not really.’

‘There’s nothing that scares you?’ I pressed for an answer. Eric rubbed his neck. ‘Well, maybe one thing. Depths.’

‘Depths? Why depths?’

‘When I was young, I dove for sand dollars in the Caribbean. Once, I dived too deep and struggled to return to the surface. I thought I was going to die. After that, I never dove again. I tried to, but I’d break out in sweat just thinking about it. I hated the idea of not being in control. I always thought I’d like to learn how to scuba dive, but there’s no way I’d be able to. That traumatic experience ruined me for life.’

‘Sounds frightening.’

‘It was, especially for a ten-year-old.’

‘Did you go to the Caribbean a lot growing up?’

He nodded. ‘My parents had a house on St John island.’

‘Wow! St John has beautiful beaches. I was there once a long time ago. Do your parents still have the house?’

Eric shook his head. ‘My parents died a few years ago. They sold the house when I went to college.’

‘Do you have any siblings?’

‘No, only child like you. My parents didn’t have me until they were in their early forties. Mom didn’t think she could have children and then I came along.’

‘That must have been a surprise!’

‘Sure was.’

We continued our conversation over coffee and when I checked my phone, I was surprised to realize we’d been there for nearly four hours.

‘I should be going,’ I said. ‘I have some work to do when I get home.’

Eric paid the waiter and we walked out of the restaurant together. ‘Thank you for dinner,’ I said. ‘It was great seeing you in person, much better than texting.’

Eric stopped. ‘You don’t like texting?’

I shrugged. ‘It’s okay. I know it’s how most people communicate these days, but I prefer talking on the phone or in person.’

Eric smiled. ‘I’ll keep that in mind. And I hope to see you again, soon.’

I raked my front teeth over my lower lip. ‘I’d like that.’

Eric wrapped his arms around me. I hadn’t been expecting a hug and I wobbled a bit. The butterflies in my stomach took flight again and for a couple of seconds I didn’t want him to let go. I felt warm and safe in his embrace.

My entire drive home, I couldn’t stop thinking about Eric. The way his dimples popped when he smiled. The way he listened more than he talked. He seemed so gentle and kind. And he was so easy to talk to. Maybe Jackie was right. Maybe this would be the one I’d shave my legs for.

Chapter 5

When I got home, I changed into my pajamas and called Jackie. She picked up the phone before I even heard it ring.

‘About time you called! I’ve been dying to hear about your night.’

I gave her a play by play. ‘He’s so easy to talk to, Jack. Maybe it’s because we’ve been through similar experiences with our exes, but I feel like he really understands me. To be honest, it’s a bit scary to feel so comfortable around him so soon.’

‘I think that’s what they call chemistry.’

‘Yeah, I guess.’ I yawned.

‘You sound tired.’

‘I am. I need to sleep. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.’

I crawled into bed and heard my phone ping. It was a text from Eric.

Enjoyed our dinner. Sleep well.

I texted back, You, too!

Even though I had the entire bed to myself, I always slept on the left side, as far over as I could without falling out. When I was married to Scott, he sprawled out leaving me little room. Some habits die hard, I guess. Strange how we continue to do something even when it no longer makes sense.

Morning came too soon. I’d hoped to sleep in but the tenant living above me decided that six in the morning was the perfect time to vacuum. I stumbled into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee.

I sat down with my tablet and read the news. Just when I finished, my cell phone rang. It was Eric. He remembered I preferred talking over texting.

‘Good morning!’

He sounded way too chipper for this early in the day.

‘I just wanted to thank you again for a terrific night.’

‘I should be the one thanking you. I really had a great time.’

‘I was wondering about that game of horse.’

‘Horse?’

Eric reminded me of the basketball challenge. ‘So, are you ready to lose?’

I laughed. ‘The only person who’s going to lose is you.’

‘You sound pretty sure of yourself.’

‘I am.’

‘Sounds like we need to settle this once and for all. Can you play this afternoon?’

‘Uh, yeah, I guess.’ I was shocked he wanted to see me again so soon, but the attention made me feel special. ‘But do you really want to drive back here again today?’

‘Absolutely,’ Eric said. ‘I don’t suppose you have a basketball court where you live.’

‘Actually, we do.’ My apartment complex had tennis and basketball courts. ‘But I don’t have a basketball.’

‘I’ll stop and pick one up,’ Eric said. ‘Does early afternoon work for you?’

‘Perfect!’

I immediately called Jackie to tell her about my Sunday afternoon basketball date.

‘Good lord, he’s driving here again today! He must be smitten.’

I glanced around my living room. ‘Guess this means I need to clean this morning.’

‘He’s coming to your apartment?’

‘Yeah, I figured we’d play here. We have those newly refinished basketball courts down by the pool.’

‘Okay, but be careful.’

‘Don’t worry. It’s not like I’m going to let anything happen that I don’t want to happen.’

Izzy rubbed her snowball head against my leg as I hung up the phone, so I picked her up.

‘Looks like we’re getting company, Iz. You’ll get to meet Eric before Jackie.’

She purred and I put her down so I could eat breakfast. I hadn’t planned on spending my morning cleaning, but I hadn’t known I’d be having company either. I never dealt well with the unexpected, but I was trying to change that.

I wanted to be more spontaneous like Jackie. A memory popped into my head of when Jackie and I were planning a girls’ trip to Las Vegas. I had researched the trip for days and came up with an itinerary that was nearly hour by hour.

‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ Jackie had said. ‘We’re going on this trip to relax, Shel. Ditch the itinerary.’

‘All of it?’

‘Keep a list of things you’d like to see, but part of the fun is what you discover along the way. I know you’re an organizer and a planner. I know you feel uncomfortable not knowing everything in advance. But that’s what makes life an adventure.’

I smiled at the memory. I knew Jackie was right and I was trying to live my life a little more carefree. I hadn’t been entirely successful but agreeing to see Eric when I hadn’t planned to was part of learning to go with the flow. Jackie would be proud. I threw in a load of laundry and dusted and vacuumed my apartment. Then I moved on to scrubbing the bathroom and kitchen floors and watering my peacock plant.

The plant had silver and green markings on its upper leaf surfaces and reddish purple underneath. It always amazed me that a plant could have two sides and look so totally different depending on your perspective. I guess if I think about it, people can be like this, too. Maybe it’s simply a part of nature.

A couple of hours later, my apartment was cleaner than it’d been in a long time and I jumped in the shower. What should I wear for our basketball date? Pink nylon running shorts with mesh liner or a pair of denim shorts? I pulled out a white T-shirt that would go with either. In the end, I opted for the running shorts because I thought they at least gave the illusion I knew what I was doing. I smiled to myself. It had been a long time since I’d cared this much about my appearance.

I Googled ‘basketball horse’ to brush up on the rules. It had been years since I’d held a basketball, so I was certain I’d be the first to spell ‘horse.’ But then again, Eric could be just as out of practice as I was.

I glanced inside the refrigerator and found several eggs, a bag of carrots, six bottles of water and a few cans of beer. I didn’t have time to run to the grocery store so I figured if playing horse went well and dinnertime neared, I’d suggest ordering pizza and having it delivered.

I jumped when I heard the doorbell. My stomach started to flutter again. I felt like a teenager. Where were these feelings coming from? When I opened the door Eric, dressed in black running shorts and a white T-shirt, smiled and handed me a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers.

‘Hello, beautiful.’

‘Thanks. Please, come in.’

It didn’t escape my attention that he’d brought my favorite flower, just one of the many questions he’d asked at dinner the night before.

He followed me to the kitchen and I retrieved a crystal vase in the cupboard above the stove. He put his leather satchel on the chair and spun the basketball on his finger. ‘Ready to lose?’ he smirked.

‘We’ll see about that,’ I teased back.

Eric scanned my apartment. ‘Nice place. Do you like living here?’

I arranged the sunflowers and greens. ‘It’s okay. Sometimes I think about buying a bigger place. I’d like a little more room.’

‘Would you ever consider moving out of the area?’ he asked.

I sat the vase on the table. ‘Probably not. I mean, my job is here. Why?’

Eric shrugged. ‘No reason. I just wondered if you’d ever consider moving. Seems like you could do your job anywhere, right?’

‘Yes and no. I could sell real estate anywhere but I’d have to get to know the market first. For example, the housing market here is different than the housing market where you live, even though we’re only two hours away.’

‘Oh, I see. Guess I didn’t realize that.’

I grabbed two bottles of water from the refrigerator and we headed for the basketball court around the corner from my apartment. It was a sun-kissed day, without a cloud in the sky, and the slight breeze made being outside comfortable.

‘Looks like we have the courts all to ourselves,’ I said.

Eric tossed me the basketball. ‘Let’s practice first.’

I dribbled the basketball. ‘It’s been so long I thought I might have forgotten how to dribble.’

‘You’re doing great. Now take a shot.’

I stopped dribbling and took a shot. I was about ten feet from the basket and it bounced off the backboard. Eric got the rebound and passed the ball to me. ‘Try again.’

I inhaled deeply and tried to remember all the things I’d long since forgotten about form. I squared up to the basket, making sure my feet pointed towards it and my hips were in alignment. I kept my shooting elbow in tight to my hip. I raised the ball above my head so my shooting arm formed an ‘L’ and bent my knees. I could hear my gym teacher say: Let the ball roll off your fingertips as you snap your wrist. Your left hand only guides.

I visualized the shot, imagining a nice high arc like a rainbow. I concentrated on my form and released the ball, watching as it sailed through the air and into the basket. ‘Yesss!’ I punched the air.

Eric retrieved the ball. ‘Looks like I might have some stiff competition. Ready to start?’

‘If you’re ready to lose,’ I teased.

He walked over and placed the ball in my hands. His dreamy eyes pierced mine. ‘If I win do I get anything special?’

I pulled out a piece of gum I’d stuffed in my shorts pocket earlier and held it up. ‘The winner gets this.’

Eric laughed. ‘Okay. Game on. Be prepared to give up the gum. You can go first.’

I shook my head. ‘No special treatment. Do you have a coin to toss?’

He pulled out a quarter and tossed it in the air. We both reached down to pick it up and our hands touched, sending electric impulses throughout my body.

‘Looks like you won.’ Eric smiled.

I went to the free throw line and took a shot. It bounced off the rim.

Eric grabbed the ball. ‘Nice try.’

He shot from the right, about five feet from the basket, and it went in. He retrieved the ball and passed it to me. ‘Your turn.’

I went to the spot where he stood and took a deep breath. Should I use the backboard or aim for the hoop? Back in the day, I was decent at making bank shots so I chose that. Bingo!

‘I do have some stiff competition,’ Eric teased. ‘Let’s see if I can make this one.’ He went to the free throw line and nailed the shot. It was my turn. I took a deep breath and imagined the ball sailing through the air and into the net. ‘Dang!’ I stumped my foot. ‘Guess I have an H.’

An hour later, I found myself out of water and out of luck. And out of a piece of gum! ‘I can’t believe you beat me three times. Are you sure you haven’t played in twenty years?’

‘Honest. Cross my heart. But I can leave the basketball with you in case you want to practice for our next competition,’ Eric teased.

‘Who said there’ll be a rematch?’ I smirked.

‘I thought you’d want the opportunity to avenge yourself. I mean, I know how competitive you are. I want to give you the chance to beat me.’

I shook my head and smiled. ‘Would you like to come back to my apartment and have a beer?’

‘A beer sounds great.’

I stuffed the basketball in my closet and grabbed a beer from the refrigerator. ‘Sorry I don’t have a lot to eat. I wasn’t expecting company. But if you’re getting hungry we can order a pizza.’

‘Do they deliver?’