Chapter 43: Tempura
Jordyn’s POV
I reached for a napkin to wipe the wine from my chin. When I looked up, Ellie was glaring at me, her hands on her hips. I let her words sink in, not knowing what to make of them.
“You don’t want to pick a wedding date?” she asked, scowling.
“…it’s just that…” I stammered.
A wedding date? It was too soon. I was momentarily at a complete loss for words. I’d literally JUST divorced Cassandra. The ink had barely dried on the divorce papers. It was too soon. I wasn’t really to jump into another marriage. Not yet.
Plus, I was worried about Ellie’s mental state. Sometimes she seemed…unstable. I was worried it was going to get worse. She hadn’t been like this before the accident. Maybe the accident had tampered with her brain chemistry. I felt like she needed professional help to address her condition. I’d even started looking for a good psychiatrist. I hadn’t broached the subject with her yet, though.
“Jordyn,” she said, her eyes still locked on me. “You are planning on marrying me, aren’t you?”
There was an edge of threat in her words.
Was?
My mind raced. She stared at me, her hands still on her hips.
Yes. I wanted to marry her. At least, I thought I did. I just needed more time. I hadn’t sorted through all my feelings for Cassandra. I needed to let the divorce sit for a bit before I walked back down the aisle.
“Of course I am,” I told her. Instantly, her face softened. “I want to marry you, I do. It’s just not the best time. I have a lot going on at work. I need time to prepare. I don’t want to rush this. Can we please wait until I can give this wedding my full attention?”
It wasn’t exactly the truth but I had a feeling Ellie wouldn’t like the truth. I needed time to get over Cassandra. And I needed Ellie to get a handle on her mental state.
“Okay,” she nodded. “I understand. We can wait. For a bit.” She seemed satisfied. I felt like I’d dodged a bullet. “What are we thinking for dinner?” she asked, opening the drawer where we kept the take–out menus. “Sushi? Curry?”
She started rummaging through the menus. I figured now was as good a time as any to bring up the subject of a therapist. I cared about her and I didn’t want to see her mental state deteriorate. I knew it was a touchy subject though, so I chose my words carefully.
“Ellie? Honey? There’s something I’ve been wanted to talk to you about,” I said, trying to keep my voice light and gentle.
“Hm?” she replied, flipping over a menu in her hands. “Is this about vase? I already told you I’d replace it.”
Two nights ago she’d gone on a tangent. I didn’t even remember what set her off, but one minute she was fine, washing her face, and the next? It was like hell had let a demon loose. She’d hollered and cried and stormed around the bedroom. I could barely understand what she was saying. I tried to calm her down, but she grabbed a vase off the night stand and tossed it right at my head. I ducked and it smashed into our headboard.
“No, it’s not about the vase,” I said, plastering a fake smile on my face. “I was just wondering, if maybe…would you be open to seeing a therapist with me?”
She froze, the menu in her hand. At first, she said nothing. She just stared down at the menu.
“It’s not that uncommon,” I coaxed. “A lot of people see therapists for all sorts of reasons.”
She looked up at me then. Her expression darkened.
“You think I’m crazy?” She cocked her head to the side and narrowed her eyes.
7/2
Chapter 43. Tempura
“No,” I shook my head. “That’s not what I said at all.‘
+16 BONUS
“You’ve GOT to be fucking kidding me,” she replied, her voice gelling louder with each word. She clenched the menu, crumpling it in her list. “A therapist? Why the hell would I need to see a therapist?”
Her cheeks were flushed. She slammed her hand down on the counter.
“…I just thought,” I stammered.
Fuck.
I’d really upset her. She was breathing heavily, her eyes were hysterical.
“Then what? You want to lock me away in a looney bin? Is that it? Is that what you think of me? Where is this coming from?” Her words were spewing out of her mouth a mile a minute. I tried back track.
“I don’t think you’re crazy. I just…”
“There’s nothing wrong with me! I’m perfectly fine!”
She didn’t look perfectly fine if you asked me. She looked crazed.
“Calm down, Ellie. Please. I only meant…”
“You’re a fucking asshole, you know that? Maybe YOU’RE the one who needs a therapist. Did you ever think of that?”
“You’re right, I’m sorry,” I said, trying to calm her down. “It was a stupid idea. Forget I said anything.”
Her expression changed again at those words. The storm left her face and she picked up the crumpled menu. “I’m thinking sashimi and tempura?” she said, her voice normal, as though nothing had just happened.
She’d calmed down but I was even more worried now than I’d been before. Her behavior was clearly getting worse. She’d just snapped and she didn’t even seem to notice.
“Sure. Yeah. Tempura sounds great,” I said, completely dumbfounded by all of this.
What was wrong with her?
“Good,” she smiled sweetly. “I’ll order it. Why don’t you open another bottle of wine.”
I did as she asked while she called the sushi place. Just then, my phone pinged. It was a message from the office asking me to confirm my upcoming meeting with Hot House Flower to discuss our collaboration project.
Cassandra. She’d be at the meeting. I suppressed a smile at the thought of seeing her.
“Jordyn?” Ellie asked. “They only have vegetable tempura. They’re out of prawns. Is that okay?”
“Yeah, yeah that’s fine,” I waved my hand dismissively at Ellie.
An intrusive thought came into my head.
Cassandra would NEVER order tempura. She knew I hated it.
Chapter 44: The Power of Women‘
