His Best Friend

“Hello honey, I'm home.”

Honey? I'll give you honey in a minute. I'm not in the best of moods. I've been waiting for hours and kept dinner warm. Thomas could at least have called to say he'd be home late.

Above the rustling of jackets being hung up and shoes being taken off, I hear two voices in the hall. Has he brought someone home? Curiosity mixes with my annoyance and I go to meet him in the hallway.

A stranger is standing next to Thomas, towering over him by almost a full head. Blond, blue eyes, slim. Pretty much the opposite of my hubby in every way.

When he sees me, he smiles immediately.

“Honey, this is Dirk. My oldest and best friend. Dirk, this is Jessica, my one and only.”

Shit, who is that? Was he at our wedding? I would have noticed him, I think. You invite your best friend to your wedding, right? And you introduce him to your wife on that occasion. At least, that's what I would expect.

Anyone can read my thoughts on my face. At least Dirk can. My own husband just grins stupidly and gives me an encouraging look, as if I should be jumping for joy. His friend cracks a crooked smile, as if apologizing for Thomas. He holds out his hand to me.

“Hello, Jessica. I'm so happy to finally meet in person. Thomas has told me so much about you.”

I look up at him. I blink. His closeness does something to me. My head feels light, as if I've had a drink too much. I mumble something incomprehensible. Somehow he's taken the wind out of my sails; I can't be angry anymore.

He takes a step back, lets his gaze wander from bottom to top, which makes me a little self-conscious. Then he nods appreciatively.

“I knew from his stories that you must be something special. But—wow—in real life, you look even more stunning than I imagined.”

The compliment goes to my head. Damn, do I have to blush like a schoolgirl? I'm a grown woman and a mother.

To cover up the situation, I lead them into the living room, instruct Thomas to set the table, and fetch the food from the kitchen.

Dirk compliments me again and helps himself generously. I'm proud that he likes my cooking so much.

As we sit at the table, he tells me about himself and I understand why I don't know him yet. Immediately after graduating from high school, Dirk went abroad, had a great business idea, found a partner and investor. He started a company, was successful and made a lot of money. Understandably, he didn't have time to cultivate his friendship with Thomas.

Nevertheless, my dear husband is thrilled and constantly brings up events from their school days and youth, which Dirk usually confirms with a pained smile or plays down when Thomas obviously exaggerates too much. In any case, Dirk seems to be Thomas' undisputed hero and nothing could knock him off his pedestal.

It is already pitch dark outside when Dirk pushes away from the dining table and stands up.

“Now I have to go and find a room. Something seems to have gone wrong with the hotel reservation.”

“Nonsense, of course you're staying with us.”

Thomas is immediately excited at the prospect of spending more time with his best friend and reminiscing about old times. I try to glare at him angrily. He should at least have asked me or let me in on the suggestion beforehand. But he doesn't notice me. My gaze falls on nothing.

“I don't want to be a burden.” Ha, at least one person at the table has manners.

“You certainly won't! Mi casa es su casa. Sina's room is free. It's no problem at all.” Finally, my husband turns to me after ignoring me until now. “Sina isn't coming home from college this weekend after all. Would you please make up her bed so Dirk can stay over?”

I'm seething inside. But when I look at our guest, half of my vexation immediately evaporates. The thought of having him stay with us a little longer doesn't bother me. I nod and smile at him.

“That's no trouble at all. Our daughter is at college and only comes home every two weeks. That's how long her change of clothes lasts. A mother is guaranteed not to lose her children before they have their own washing machine. I'll make up the bed for you.”

As I walk out, I could swear I feel Dirk's gaze on my butt.