Chapter Thirty-Five

Will's timing couldn't have been worse. Diane was about to open the front door when he pulled up the driveway just in time to see the other car drive off beside him and she knew that the chance of him not recognizing the driver was pretty slim. She waved to him and opened the garage door so he could roll in.

She was waiting for him at the door and wasn't sure what to expect after the unfortunate encounter. She had a feeling he wouldn't be too pleased, even though everything that had happened and would happen that night was his fault alone. Still she considered if she should start with explaining herself, just to spare him from making things up in his head about what he'd just witnessed. She knew that he trusted her enough not to talk too much into it, but she also knew that he never liked the idea of them working together, let alone being together outside the office, if only for a car drive.

"Hey," she greeted him with a flustered smile and gave him a kiss when he arrived next to her.

"Hey," he replied and it was easy to tell that he looked more tired than angry.

She entered the house, took off her coat and went straight into the kitchen. They hadn't had dinner after all, she was starving already.

"Are you hungry?" she asked while observing the content of the fridge.

"Not really," he said from the doorway, looking at her and she knew that they simply had to talk about what had happened if they wanted this awkwardness to be over.

"I lost track of time in the office and Chris offered to drive me home," she turned away from him again and took out a box then put it in the microwave.

"You could have called me," she heard him say and it was easy to notice the disappointment in his voice.

"I wasn't sure if you're done yet," he had a point and she was ashamed to admit that this hadn't occurred to her at all.

"You could have asked."

"I didn't want to disturb you," she lied and she wasn't surprised that he was aware of it.

"That's nonsense, you didn't even think about calling me, did you?"

"No, I didn't," she finally admitted and she started to feel guilty for not calling him and lying to his face, "But you said you'd be working late."

"I said two more hours, it was two more hours," he had a point again, but he sounded way too serious and she simply didn't like his tone. She'd forgotten to call him, so what? She got home right away, he was home as well, did it really still matter?

"I told you I lost track of time," she took out a fork and turned to the microwave again.

"It happens too often when you're working with him."

It was the same old record and she was honestly tired of hearing it all over again and defending herself all the time.

"I wasn't working with him, I was working alone, in my office. Do you need a surveillance video to prove it?" she intentionally sounded sarcastic, it was time he noticed how ridiculous these conversations were becoming.

"No."

"You know I'm starting to get tired of these accusations. We were supposed to spend this evening together, you cancelled on me last minute and now you question my whereabouts?" she didn't raise her voice yet, but she sounded firm and it obviously made him a little insecure.

"I wasn't, I was just…he took you home, I wanted to take you home."

"Then you should have been there to pick me up," she said, looking straight into his eyes and this time she was the one who sounded disappointed.

"But I couldn't be there, I can't always be there and it annoys the hell out of me."

"You have serious problems," she said harshly as she took the food out of the microwave. She probably shouldn't have judged him because in a reversed situation she might have felt similarly herself.

"Me? You are the one spending your days with your ex."

"He is my employee," she put the box on the table and looked at him.

"What happened to the feminist in you? Hiring female lawyers is not an option anymore?" he sounded sarcastic and it just ticked her off enormously.

"You want me to hire only female lawyers just to make sure you don't have a reason to be jealous?" she couldn't believe that he'd actually said something so silly.

"It's an option," he shrugged and she simply wanted to grab him and shake him at that moment.

"You're pathetic."

"I might be pathetic, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

"Are you implying something?"

"Yes, I am, I don't want to see that man anywhere near our house again," he sounded way too serious and it made her really angry. He couldn't have actually thought to instruct her like that.

"Are you threatening me?" she gave him another chance to back off, but he looked deep into her eyes as he replied.

"Yes."

"I…I can't believe this, you're out of your mind," she raised her voice now and as she grabbed her food she felt the urge to throw it at his face.

"I don't care, just make sure it never happens again," he sounded angry and she just couldn't believe this was actually happening.

"You're…I don't even bare to be in the same room with you right now," she said as she passed by him.

"Diane…" he touched her arm, but she shook his hand off.

"Leave me alone. You're lucky the kids aren't home to witness this. And just so we're clear, I'm not sharing a bed with you tonight."