The days dragged by in mind numbing routine. Every week day I rolled out of bed, went through the motions of getting ready for the day and went to work only to come home and go through the motions of being a loving, caring fiancΓ© and force myself to stay excited as Mikey flirted and seduced me. Weekends were worse, trapped with Mikey all day. Where had the passion gone? Where was the love?
I almost exploded with joy when he announced he'd be going back to visit his parents. I didn't understand it. If I was falling out of love with Mikey I should not be getting attached to his family. And I should not be going to see Kevin.
The dreams had been getting worse, dreams of Kevin and the delightful fire he seemed to light in me. I dreamt of him kissing me, of being held so close to him, and more than that. I was dreaming dangerous dreams and I couldn't stop them. This certainly wouldn't help.
Luckily Kevin's hand had healed and I got to spend the day having coffee with their mom. When the boys came in from the shop we were laughing over a photo album in the living room.
"Good, you're both here," Mikey said. "I need to talk to you." He sat on the couch with us. "I have a business trip coming up in a few weeks and I was hoping Mandy could stay here while I was away."
"What!?" I said.
"Kevin thought it was a good idea."
I shot Kevin a dirty look. "I can stay home by myself. I am a big girl you know."
"I know, I wasn't implying that. I thought it would be a nice chance for you to hang out here for longer than a day."
"What about work?"
"You always have more vacation time banked than I do. And you'll probably have a chance to bank more before the honeymoon."
His mom said, "It would be a nice treat to have another girl in the house. You'd be more than welcome. The boys can squeeze into two rooms so we have the space."
"Yeah," Kevin said, "We don't mind sharing at all."
I was defeated. "Sure." I smiled. "I'd love to."
I made the arrangements with work and a week later I was back on the farm, this time with two big bags in hand. I got Mikey's old room, Kevin was bunking with Drew who was back from his camping trip.
I settled in before joining the family for dinner. After dinner I hid in "my" room and read. It didn't help. Kevin soon joined me.
"What are you reading?" he asked.
I showed him the cover of the book and kept reading.
"Silent treatment? I haven't made you angry, have I?"
"I'm ignoring you. Last time was a mistake, and I won't repeat it. We can't do ... stuff like that." It was weak, I knew it. All that mattered was that he believed it.