Husband With Benefits

"Psst... how did you know she would leave the house before the Demon— I mean, before you woke up?" Nora whispered, her eyes following Ava as she slipped quietly out the door while they sat in the car as if on a stake out.

Erasmi sighed, rolling his eyes as if the answer was obvious. "Because Ava is the least confrontational person you’ll ever meet. She’d rather stick her head in the sand or run away than get into an argument with someone."

Nora giggled at that, her amusement clear. "I think that’s exactly why she needs a knight in shining armor like you. So, what do you think she’s going to do?"

Erasmi’s expression tightened with concern. "Honestly, I’m hoping she’ll go and confront Hannah or at least get some clarity. But knowing Ava, she might just find a quiet corner somewhere and overthink everything. She has that habit too," he added, the worry evident in his voice. He then noticed Nora’s eyes fixed on him, her gaze full of mischief.

"What? Is there something on my face?" Erasmi asked when he noticed Nora staring at him.

"Other than my husband’s reflection? No," Nora quipped, a playful grin spreading across her lips. "But I’m just wondering... for a man who claims he married his wife solely to give his son a proper family, you sure do know an awful lot about her."

Erasmi frowned slightly, feeling awkward at the line of questioning. "I... I mean, it’s just common sense, really. Anyone would pick up on these things after living together. And I do say that she is also my good friend. In fact, the only friend I do have..."

"Oh, so you’re saying you don’t pay special attention to her?"

"Of course not," Erasmi quickly replied, perhaps a bit too defensively a she heard his tone and cleared his throat. "I just— I mean, she’s the mother of my son, so naturally, I notice things."