Business as Usual (Off The Subject) by Denise Grover Swank Page A

else.”
    My mouth drops open. “Do you have any idea how absolutely crazy that is? Why would you even think that?”
    “He’s hiding something from me.”
    “How do you know?”
    “Because he told me that he’s been working on a project at his office in the evenings. He’s been staying late, and I started to miss him.” Her voice breaks. “So last night I decided to surprise him. I got some deli sandwiches and took them to him like he did last fall when I was working on my project for the fashion show. Only when I showed up at his office, he wasn’t there.”
    I shook my head in confusion. “He’d already left?”
    More tears fall. “When he got home late, I asked him if he’d gotten lot of work done, and he said yes.”
    “So, he probably took his laptop somewhere else to work.”
    “I told him that I’d tried to call his office phone and he told me he’d turned off the ringer in the early evening and forgot to turn it back on.”
    My heart stops. “He lied to you?”
    She doesn’t answer. The devastation on her face is answer enough.
    “There has to be a logical explanation, Caroline. He loves you.”
    She looks away and moves back to the casserole dish. “I suck at cooking.”
    “Caroline, Reed didn’t choose you for your cooking.”
    Her mouth twists as she fights more tears. “I worried this would happen.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    Her gaze lifts to mine. “What we felt in the beginning was so intense, so strong, one of my worries was that it couldn’t last. That it would cool down and what would we be left with? It looks like my fears are coming true.”
    “Don’t say that.” I protest. “Don’t you still love him?”
    “Of course.” Her voice cracks. “More than I’ve ever loved anyone or anything. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I love him more than I did in the beginning.” She wipes her tears. “But this isn’t about whether I love him or not. It’s whether he still loves me. And the last two weeks he hasn’t been himself. He’s colder and more distant…and when I ask him what’s wrong, he refuses to tell me.”
    “That doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you anymore.”
    She gives me a wry smile. “But wouldn’t he tell me what was wrong if he did?”
    I don’t answer.
    “So I thought I’d cook for him and make a special dinner, but I’ve fucked that up too.” She starts to sob, covering her face with her hands. The solitaire diamond on her engagement ring catches the light.
    I throw my arms around her and squeeze her tight. How did I miss all of this? I’ve been too lost in my own world to pay attention to the two people who are most important to me. “I just can’t believe he’s seeing someone else. Reed’s one of the most loyal people I know.” I murmur into her ear. “He loves you. I’m sure of it.”
    She cries into my shoulder for several minutes before pulling away. “I’m sorry.”
    “Why?”
    “You’re Reed’s sister. I’m putting you in the middle.”
    “I’m your friend too.” Right now I’m siding more with my friend than my brother, but I’m telling myself not to jump to conclusions. Yet when I examine the last week or two, I have to admit that Reed has been different. More distant and more harsh. It’s no wonder tutors in the math lab are quitting. I seriously doubt he’s seeing someone else, but something is going on. “What does Scarlett say?”
    “Nothing.”
    I give her a quizzical look.
    “I haven’t told her.”
    “ What? Why not?”
    “She has to work with him. I don’t want to make it awkward for her.”
    “Caroline, she’s your best friend. You have to talk to her.”
    She shakes her head. “I have to deal with this myself.”
    “No.” I lift my chin. “You have me.”
    “You can’t say anything to him.”
    I shake my head, adamant. “You can’t ask me not to.”
    “Lexi. Please. Let me deal with this on my own.”
    How can she drop this on me and expect me to not to do anything about