Wake Up

You get up the next morning and your wife is already up. That isn't strange. You head into the bathroom and take a shower. The shower hasn't been used this morning since your wife took one last night. Usually that might mean that she could sleep in but instead she seems to be already up and dressed. After your shower, you get dressed for work too and head downstairs, just in time to see her fly past you and out the door. She squeaks out a goodbye but doesn't stop to kiss you like normal.

She still doesn't seem angry, but she can't stay in the same room as you for long. Despite her actions, she also left coffee and breakfast for you, so whatever's going on she's still thinking of you. But you can't shake the sense that something is wrong, like she's guilty or nervous, but of what? Even though you read her messages to Matt last night, you still aren't sure what's going on between them.

You put it out of your head and go into work. You're on time at least, but your boss comments again on the mounting work before he adds more to the pile. Since you've decided to focus on Kali, you buckle down and get your work done. You cut your lunch hour in half and work through. Unfortunately there's so much work piled up from the last two days and from today, that it takes you all day to finish up.

However, you are determined to finally figure out your date for tomorrow with Kali. So, you text your wife to tell her that you're working late tonight, and then head to a secluded parking lot nearby a late night coffee shop. You have no idea how long this might take you, and you're starving from rushing lunch, so before you begin your search, you head inside and order a coffee and a pastry.

{if Middle = true}

You take your order out to the car, and eat and drink while you look for somewhere to take Kali. It takes longer than you hoped but you eventually settle on Wicked Felina, a small downtown taco bar. Reviews are middling, which may explain the price range. The food sounds to be decent, although some complain that their menu isn't tasty so much as just spicy. It has poor service but the staff are friendly at least. Since you let Ariana buy a new dress, this is the best within your price range, but you hope maybe the spicy food will at least generate some conversation. Since it's just a taco bar, it doesn't take reservations, but you don't think you should have any trouble getting a seat.

Once you've found your restaurant, you put the address in to the map search, and look for nearby hotels. Luckily there's a budget hotel just a few blocks away. It's not the fanciest place, and given the choice it's not where you'd want to take a prospective date, but it looks nice and clean at least, and it's better than a by the hour motel, you think. You decide not to make a reservation, in case the night doesn't go in your favor.

While looking at the nearby surroundings you also notice there are a few bars between the taco place and the hotel. You begin to plan out the night in your head, starting with the tacos, then heading to one of the bars for a few drinks before finally winding down at the hotel. Rather than wining and dining her, you think it sounds like a fairly chill and relaxed evening. It might not sweep her off her feet, but you're hopeful Kali will at least have fun.

Relieved to finally have a game plan for Kali in mind, you dump your garbage in a nearby trash can, then head home to your wife.

{else}

While waiting at the counter for your order, you hear a familiar voice. You don't dare look around, but thankfully, between the mirror behind the coffee station and the reflection in the windows you are able to see your wife sitting in a booth with Matt. You immediately think 'what the hell'. She thinks you're working late tonight, and arranges to meet your best friend in a secluded place like this. You wonder what's going on, but you can't hear what they're saying. Maybe if you edge closer you could pick up on what they're saying...{endif}