“Okay, I’ll do the same. See you soon,” he said as he gave me a peck on the lips.

Dan and I had separate bedrooms. These were like our private fortresses. The one spot where the other was not allowed. It gave us space we both needed to deal with deadline of work schedules. When we wanted company, we would sleep in a different bedroom. This way we could communicate our moods without speaking. It has worked well for us for the three year we lived here together. I had bought the house alone just after Mark had left me for Lisa. I could not stand the memories of him in the loft we had shared for ten years. The loft had been located across from my law office, but I did not mind the current commute time in exchange for the absence of memories. I took my time with a relaxing soak in the tub. No work tomorrow, so no hurry involved. I could hear the jazz Dan was playing loudly in the den downstairs. I concentrated only on my beauty ritual and tried to forget Mark’s words. I contemplated making Dan suffer somehow but admitted that I just didn’t have the energy. I was tired. I was 38, almost burnt out as an attorney and wishing for an early retirement. If I quit taking cases on Monday, I could still survive on what I already owned but I would not enjoy any vacations or any trips out of town.

“Can I offer you a nightcap?“ Dan had appeared in the doorway with a glass of wine in his hand. I nodded and he put the glass on the edge of the tub. Princess, our standard poodle, moved towards him as he sat next to the tub. He absentmindedly sat there and pet her as he stared at me. He was here with me, but only as support not to pressure me. Dan had a knack for knowing my moods and my needs as only a psychologist could. Of course that was his job and he was good at it. He had been complete reassurance for me that nothing was wrong with me after Mark left me. He waited for my bath to be done and carried me still wet and soaking to our shared room. Now Dan had a bigger hurt to heal. Can I let Dan’s love heal me or should I risk it all for Mark and his unknown daughter? Right now, I had no need to make a decision. I enjoyed Dan right now and he made everything all right.