Society Rules by Katherine Whitley Page B

will to cook supper, although this made her feel guilty. Indie sagged visibly, her energy sapped.
    Dominos Pizza was simply howling her name tonight, she decided, and dialed the number.
    One extra large pepperoni pizza, light on the sauce and a side of wings; Will’s favorite. She chose the pay by phone option, including a tip, so that whoever answered the door need only take the food and place it on the table.
    The kids were not big pizza fans, oddly enough, but they would deal with it. They almost never complained about anything. Indie remembered a bag of pre-washed salad greens in the fridge, and dumped it unceremoniously into a large bowl. She hesitated, then grabbed a lemon from a basket on the counter and sliced it into wedges, and brought down the olive oil. This was her children’s only acceptable “dressing”, but Indie approved. It was healthy.
    Feeling slightly less guilty about supper now, she took a moment to poke her head in to Will’s office.
    “I ordered pizza for you guys, and it should be here in a few. It’s already paid for, tip as well.”
    “Didn’t you just go to the store?” Will asked absently.
    “Yes, but I’ve . . . had a long day. I just don’t have the energy to cook.” He shrugged, never lifting his eyes from the computer screen.
    “Well, then,” she cleared her throat. “I think I’m just going to take a shower and climb in to bed. I don’t think my stomach can take any food tonight.” He glanced up and gave her a quick smile, eyes distracted.
    “Okay, I’ll take care of the kids for you.” Ugh, Indie made a face. He actually said it.
    Will is going to take care of the kids “ for me .” How nice of him. And, as if, anyway!
    Indie knew that when the pizza came, Cassidy would answer the door. Jake would get the plates, and tell Daddy the pizza was here. The kids would be done before Will was able to tear himself away from the computer. They will have already put their plates in the dishwasher, started their own bath, and would be brushing their teeth before he came out. His involvement would most likely be the unnecessary words, “time for bed,” as they were already climbing in.
    Yes, Honey, thanks so much.
    Indie was both annoyed and relieved. She knew she was not going to have any trouble hiding what had happened to her today, not from him, but at the same time, she wanted somebody to care. Not nine year olds, who she didn’t want worrying about Mommy’s mental health, but someone . . . grown up.
    Indie suddenly felt a craving for strong arms around her, telling her that everything was going to be okay, offering her the feeling of the utmost comfort and protection . . . her own hero in her very own romantic love story.
    She wanted a partner who was involved in her life . . . her thoughts . . . someone who knew how she felt about things. Someone who understood how hard every day was for her, she thought, stifling a small sob.
    Jesus, just someone who thought she was worth talking to, even.
    She felt the tears welling up in her eyes, and bit her lip to still the trembling. Indie allowed herself a very rare moment of intense self-pity as she leaned against the wall in the hallway. Was it so much to ask that her partner be someone who was on her emotional level. Someone who was her . . . equal.
    No. Her Equal .
    Yes, it definitely felt like a proper noun. Indie clutched at her head, aghast at what had just shot through it.
    Am I crazy , she asked herself, swallowing the lump in her throat. What could I possibly be thinking , she wondered, freaking herself out at the thought.
    Turning to stumble down the hallway, Indie stopped short as she passed the window on the way to the bath. Her hand shaking, she pulled the curtain back and stared out into the utterly opaque darkness, seeing nothing but her own reflection . . . but yet . . . Her senses were screaming.
    He was out there. Somehow, she knew it.
    And he was watching her.
    With a gulp of panic,