The Dinner Invitation I Didn’t See Coming
Inside the house, I noticed dust on the furniture again.
I noticed clutter where clutter didn’t belong.
And I noticed Kate’s attitude—constant, simmering resentment—as if I’d chosen to be inconvenient on purpose.
Later, she started making dinner.
Naturally, I offered helpful advice.
She gave me the same response she’d been giving me all week.
“Please,” she said coldly, “just leave the kitchen.”
That night, I overheard her complaining to Andrew.
I didn’t mean to. I simply happened to be near the hallway.
“We discussed this,” Andrew said, calm but firm. “It’ll benefit everyone.”
“I know,” Kate replied, voice strained. “I’m trying. It’s just… harder than you think.”
When I peeked, I saw him hugging her belly like she was the fragile one in this arrangement.
It stung more than it should have.
At dinner, I pointed out her pie was undercooked.
I expected an argument.
Instead, Kate got oddly cheerful.
“Why don’t you bake a pie yourself,” she said, “and bring it to Mr. Davis?”
I frowned. “That grump doesn’t even greet me.”
Kate’s lips twitched like she knew something I didn’t.
“I think you’re mistaken,” she said. “He’s not so bad. And besides… I’ve seen how he looks at you.”
I laughed, sharp and dismissive.
“If he’s interested, he can make the first move. A man should court a lady.”
Kate exchanged a glance with Andrew.
One of those glances married people use when they’re coordinating without speaking.
The next morning, I stepped outside and nearly dropped my coffee.
Mr. Davis was walking toward me.
Awkward. Stiff. Like it pained him to be polite.
“Margaret,” he began.
“For you, it’s Miss Miller,” I corrected.
His jaw tightened.
“Alright,” he said through his teeth. “Miss Miller… would you allow me to invite you to dinner?”
I raised an eyebrow.
“I allow it,” I said, arms crossed.
He nodded and started to leave.
“Is that how you invite someone?” I called after him. “When? Where?”
He paused, then answered without turning around.
“Tonight at seven. My house.”
And just like that, my miserable little living arrangement had a crack of light in it.
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