**The Secret Meetings**
After his divorce, Edward often told colleagues and friends he was searching for somethingthough he wasnt quite sure what. Eight years of marriage had ended bitterly, though he hadnt wanted it that way. His wifes temper had become unbearable. At least there were no childrenshed never wanted them.
At thirty-six, Edward was in his primebroad-shouldered, fit, with a handsome face and an enigmatic gaze. There had been women since the divorce, even a few young ones, but marriage was far from his mind. He ignored his colleaguesoffice romances struck him as dreadfully dull, and most of them were married anyway.
«Ive more sense than to get tangled in that sort of mess,» hed say over pints with his mates at the pub.
«Dont count your chickens,» theyd laugh. «You know how it goeslove creeps up when you least expect it.»
Pride, of course, comes before a fall. Edward would never forget the summer day a new colleague arrived. His friend Thomas had mentioned her the evening before.
«Maxs wife is joining ustransferred from the other office.»
Edward knew Max vaguelya dull, unremarkable man.
«Probably just as tedious as he is,» Edward thought, dismissing the news.
But the next morning, when Lillian was introduced, Edwards breath caught. She was stunningand sharp-witted too. Within a week, he was arriving early just to catch her in the corridor. Evenings alone were spent thinking of her.
«Shes perfect for me. And if shes perfect for me, then I must be for her.» A small voice warned him about Max, but Edward brushed it aside. Their shared workload meant plenty of time togetherno one would suspect a thing.
Another week passed. Lillian seemed to like himthey laughed over paperwork, traded jokes. But she spoke of Max often, and Edward bristled.
«Either shes hinting shes not interested, or she truly loves that dreary husband of hers.» The latter thought pained him, though he knew she must have married the man for a reason.
Still, he hesitated to flirt openly. Yet fate conspireda project forced them together, heads bent close. One afternoon, Thomas was out. Edward felt her breath warm against his cheekthen, without thinking, he kissed her.
She pulled back, fingers pressed to her lips. «Edward, pleasedont do that again.»
But she didnt leave. Didnt slap him. A good sign.
«Sorrylost my head,» he said, grinning.
She returned to the files as if nothing had happened. Edward exhaled, joining her. The days rolled on, neither mentioning the kiss. But on Friday, as the clock ticked toward five, he ventured, «May I call you this weekend?»
«No,» she said quickly. Then, after a pause: «Ill call you.»
«Brilliant,» he beamed. «When?»
«When I can.»
Saturday passed in agonyhis phone untouched. Sunday morning yielded nothing. «Surely she could steal a moment, even with Max at home,» he fumed.
That evening, he caved. She answered in a whisper: «Dont call me. Ill»
Mondays alarm hadnt even sounded when his phone rang. Lillians voice, breathless. «Edward, are you free? May I come over?»
He bolted upright. «Now? Alone?»
«Yes. Ive got the car.»
He scrambledshower, coffee half-made. The knock came too soon. One look at her eyes and the door slammed shut, his hands already pulling her close. She murmured, «Good morning,» but Edward was beyond words.
Later, over coffee in his kitchen, she said, «Max leaves for work much earlier than I do.» Edward stayed silent, annoyed. Why mention him now?
She glanced around. «Your flats cosy. And the coffees lovely.»
They arrived at work just in time, though Edward braced for suspicion. None cameonly Thomass offhand, «Running late today?»
«Something like that,» Edward shrugged.
Mornings became routineLillian slipping in before dawn, stolen hours tangled in sheets. One Saturday, his phone rang at ten. Her voice: «May I come over?»
«Any time. Always,» he said, heart leaping.
She arrived within the half-hour. «Howd you manage it?» he asked as they lay in bed.
«Max visits his parents on Saturdays. I loathe the countryside.»
«Stay with me,» he murmured. «Properly. Forever.»
She sighed. «Forevers impossible.»
«Then what are we doing?»
She had no answer.
Time wore onclandestine meetings, fleeting weekends when Max was away. Edward grew restless. One morning, he gripped her hands. «Lillian, leave him. Marry me. This half-life is torture.»
Her face fell. «I cant.»
«Why?»
«Besides Max, theres my son. Hes nearly elevenquite self-sufficient. Thats why I can come to you. He gets himself to school.» She hesitated. «Does that change things?»
Edward swallowed. «No. Id adopt him gladly.»
She smiled sadly. «Max would never allow it. He adores the boy.»
The meetings grew shorter. Edward chafedrising at dawn, the secrecy. Finally, he steeled himself. «Lillian, I cant do this anymore. Leave him, or we end it.»
Her eyes glistened. «Then we end it.»
She walked away. Edward later met another womanfree, uncomplicated. But she could never stir his heart as Lillian had. Some loves come only oncea blazing fire or quiet embers. Edward chose the latter. Easier, perhaps. Safer.
