It’s hard to be friends

Eight months into the marriage 

It was exactly nine when Henry arrived. I grabbed my leather jacket and slipped it on over the short black gown that hugged my body. Tonight, I had tried something new with my makeup, something heavier. The dark eyeshadow on my eyelids and the sharp eyeliner made me look dangerously fierce. I liked it.

Tonight was supposed to be a night of fun and excitement. A night of reprieve. At least for tonight, I wouldn't think about Christian, or our relationship, or, even better, how much he'd hurt me. 

I hadn't expected him to actually stay out of my sight, but I guess he was pretty good at it. Not that I was complaining. I didn't want to see him. Looking at him always caused me pain. 

Henry was already waiting outside. He smiled brightly when he saw me, his eyes glistening.

"Wow. You just took my breath away."

I blushed, hard. There was something about the way he said things that made me feel special.