“So…you’ll never see this guy again, right?” Bridget asked. Flora sat in her best friend’s living room, nursing a cup of decaf tea. After almost kissing another man, Flora couldn’t bring herself to go home. Not yet. Not when she was still reeling.

“Of course, I’ll still see him. He’s Kiran’s friend! And we go to the same church.”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it. It sounded like you were on a date with him; you’re not going to do that again, are you?”

“No. I promise I won’t let that happen again.”

“Good.” Bridget took a sip of tea. “Are you going to tell Kiran?”

Flora opened her mouth to say something, but closed it again. She stayed silent for several long moments. “I know I have to tell him. But I’m not sure how to say it. I mean…nothing really happened, so…”

“’Nothing really happened’?” Bridget said. “Are you kidding me?! You just said you almost kissed another married man!”

“Then what am I supposed to say, Bridget? If it’s so easy, tell me what to say!”

“Just say: ‘Kiran, I went to the bakery, saw what’s-his-face, and when he walked me to my car, I almost kissed him. Our lips never touched and I swear it’ll never happen again.’”

“It’s easy for you to say because you’re not in a relationship with him and you’re not—” Flora shook her head. “Nevermind.”

“Not what?”

“Just forget it. I guess it’s just hard because I never thought something like this would ever happen. I’ve always been loyal to him. I’ve never even thought of being with anyone else.”

“I know that. But you need to come up with some way to tell him. It wouldn’t be fair to keep that from him. And it doesn’t matter if this guy is besties with Kiran or an acquaintance—”

“I kinda think that would matter.”

“It doesn’t,” Bridget continued. “Hiding it is lying and you’re not a liar. Just tell him and get it over with. Worst-case scenario: Kiran is mad, you don’t see this other guy, maybe change churches, and voila, all is well.”

Flora finished drinking her tea. “I guess you’re right. It’s only right to tell him, no matter how awkward it is.” She set the cup aside and gathered her things. “Thank you, Bridget. I needed to hear that. You’re the best.”

“I know.” Bridget gave Flora a hug, waving goodbye to her friend before Flora drove down the road toward her house to prepare for the conversation she needed to have. No matter how much she didn’t want to have it.

“I almost kissed Damian,” Flora said in front of the bathroom mirror. “No, that’s bad. Okay.” She took a deep breath. “Kiran…I saw Damian today at the bakery and I almost kissed him. I don’t know what came over me, but I won’t let anything like that happen again. No…that’s terrible, too. Ugh! What am I going to say?”

“Flora!” Kiran called from the entryway. “I’m home!”

What am I going to say? Deep breath. Deep breath…

“How was work?” Flora said as she walked down the stairs.

“Oh, good. Nothing exciting happened. How was your day?”

Flora smiled. “Good. I went to the bakery, walked the trail. I ran into Damian there, so we chatted; it was nice. Did you know he’s a journalist?”

Kiran hung his coat in the closet while he listened. “No, I didn’t know that. Huh.”

“And apparently, Susan’s been on vacation for a while and now she’s going back to work.”

“I thought she was a homemaker.”

“Me, too!” Flora kissed his cheek wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too. But it hasn’t been so bad. I look forward to coming home and seeing you. I get to hear about your day. I kinda like it.”

“So far, it’s pretty okay. I do enjoy sleeping in.” Flora chuckled.

Tell him!

“You should look into getting a hobby that isn’t flowers so you’ll have something to do during the day.” Kiran held her close. “What else happened?”

Flora went to the kitchen to make their dinner. “I went to Bridget’s house for tea. We caught up. And then I came home. Pretty boring stuff.”

“Well, I’m glad for boring stuff. When I’m at work, I worry so much about you and the baby. I try not to worry. But I twitch every time my phone beeps because I think something bad happened.”

“Oh, sweetie,” Flora smiled sadly at him. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. I just need to adjust more. A little better, day-by-day, right?”

“Right.”

Flora didn’t cook often for Kiran, because she didn’t know how to cook well. But she made pasta tossed with butter and herbs, garlic bread, and a salad for them to enjoy. The entire time she cooked, her chest filled with anxiety as the two halves of herself fought.

Tell him! No, don’t; keep it secret! Coward! Just stop it!

Flora stood at the counter with her hands resting on the smooth vinyl. Her sight locked on the plates in front of her. “Kiran?”

“Yeah?” He said. He was sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper.

“I almost kissed Damian today.” Just say it.

Flora squeezed her eyes shut tight. “It’s still hard to stay positive, but…I’m trying. You know?”

“I do. I know it’s worse for you than me.” He set the paper aside so he could come stand behind his wife, wrapping his arms around her. His chin rested on her shoulder. “We’re in this together, love. And I will always support you. Some days will be rough; some will be easy. But I’m here for you because I love you.”

“You’re the best husband a woman could ask for.” Flora said.

I’m so sorry.