his sleep as he listened to her move around the bedroom. Dave chanced a glance at the clock, dreading that he was already late if his wife was up before him.
It was only 7:30. Dave shook away the ache for more sleep and sat up looking for his wife.
“Georg?” he called after her sleepily.
She emerged from the walk-in closet with a brilliant smile, but he could see her gaze was still uneasy about last night’s dinner and Dave’s disappearing act shortly after. She’d been fast asleep by the time he returned from The Devil’s Eye a little before midnight.
“How do I look?” she asked, striking a pose in her tennis outfit.
Dave smiled, running a hand across his scruffy face. “Beautiful, brilliant as always.”
She came closer and sat down on the bed next to him, gently running her fingers through his hair.
“I’m sorry about last night,” she started, but he cut her off with a kiss.
When he pulled back, he held onto her face and looked deep into her eyes.
“Listen to me, Georgette, you have absolutely nothing to be sorry for.”
She smiled, her gaze filled with unshed tears.
“Sam—”
“Will be fine,” Dave continued, “She’s just in some rebellion against youth.”
Georgette sighed wistfully. “I remember those days.”
Dave could see her beginning to drift into melancholia. He spoke before he lost her to nostalgic thoughts. “What time is your lesson?”
“In about an hour,” she still looked distracted. “Guess we’ll be playing inside with this awful weather.”
Dave turned his head to look out across the balcony—the rain was driving with unforgiving force, the pines swaying with wild seduction.
“Let me know how it goes?” he asked, as she got to her feet to continue her morning routine.
“I will.” She began to leave but stopped just at the threshold. “Dave?”
“Yes, my love?” He kept his voice calm—his wife’s was filled with concern.
“Is everything going to be alright?”
“Yes,” he confirmed immediately. “I promise.”
He watched her shoulders relax and felt in that moment he believed his own words as much as she did.