A knock at the door

Just as you look deep into James' eyes, a knock comes at your door. "I better see who it is" he says as he turns away from you. You watch as he opens the door, and there, framed in the open doorway is that meddlesome frenemy of yours, Nicole. "Hi, James!" she says with a bright, cheery smile as she makes her way inside. "I guess Katherine didn't tell you yet we ran into each other at school today. I wanted to come over to invite you both to dinner over at my place. I'd like you both to meet my fiance, Arthur. You remember Arthur from college, don't you? He used to be crazy about Katherine. In fact, we'd both love it if you could come over tonight. His cousin Robert will be there as well. He's one of Katherine's students as well. But I guarantee you, we'll all have a good time. You won't be sorry you came. So how about it? Will you come over?"

You can't believe how long winded that girl is! But now you know something you didn't know before, and it actually strikes fear into your heart. Robert is Arthur's cousin? You start to wonder if this is all an elaborate set up staged by Nicole. Maybe she had Robert intentionally try to seduce you? What angle is she working at? Whatever it is, you know she can't be trusted. Fear suddenly hits you. If she set you up with Robert, does she have proof of what happened between you and Robert? Perhaps it would be wise to go along with her for now. James is almost about to answer her request when you interject. "Of course we'd love to join you for dinner!" you say with a smile. "How wonderful of you to come over, and invite us! What time should we be there?"

Nicole looks at you with a smug look of satisfaction. "Let's say somewhere around sevenish?"

"That will be fine" you smile politely. "We'll be there."

Nicole takes out a small writing pad and jots down her address, then walks over and hands it to you. "I'm so glad you can make it. Sorry is such short notice. But you know what they say, some of the best things you'll ever encounter happen on the spur of the moment." She turns to leave. "See you in a bit!" Then just like that, she's gone.

You take the note Nicole handed to you, and open it. It does contain her address, plus "Good girl! I know what you did. See you soon." You fold up the note, and put it in your pocket with the intention of throwing it away later.

"Now, can you tell me what was bothering you when I came in?" inquires James.

"Oh, it was nothing" you answer. "I guess I'm just not used to leaving you behind. We were inseparable during our honeymoon. I just missed you so much all day!"

James sits down beside you, and takes you into his arms. "I understand. I felt the same way about you all day. I couldn't wait to get home to you. But I guess for now, we better get ourselves ready for our dinner date? I guess you could call it that."

You smile at him, and kiss him. "I don't care where we are, as long as I'm with you."