“So, am I forgiven for being such a jackass the past few months?”

A shroud of disappointment began to settle over Mindy. The sated euphoria of minutes before was fading fast. “Oh, Nick, why did you have to go and say that?”

“What? Why do you look so sad? What did I do now? Why do you look so sad all of a sudden? You’ve been complaining that I’m not attentive enough, so I’ve been planning this all week. I thought you liked it; no, I know you liked it. You can’t tell me I didn’t pay enough attention to you today, so what is the problem?”

Mindy closed her eyes and took three long breaths to control the building anger before answering. “You know, Nick, just when I think you’re finally starting to get it, that you are turning back into that sweet, sensitive guy I married instead of the jerk you’ve become lately, you have to go and open your mouth and fuck it up.”

Pausing, she pushed him away. Her clothes were scattered around the remnants of their romantic picnic. Romantic…the word echoed in her brain. It wasn’t so romantic now. It seemed to her like the crumpled tablecloth, uneaten food and scattered dishes were a symbol of their relationship. Their marriage was now just the scattered remains of what was once a beautiful love feast.

She gathered her clothes before turning back to him. He was still sitting, naked, on the edge of the cloth. She could see in his eyes that he thought she was nuts, and that only served to fuel her anger.

“Do you really think a little picnic and a good fuck can make up for months of just ignoring me? And what happens tomorrow? Will things go back to the same old thing, and in a couple of months you’ll throw me another little picnic so that I think you are paying attention to me? You just don’t get it, do you? Do you even know why I’m angry?”

“No, Mindy, I don’t know why you are so pissed. Frankly, I don’t understand you at all. You complain that I don’t pay you enough attention. Well, I think I paid you plenty of attention today, and you sure as hell weren’t complaining. As a matter of fact, I remember you squirming and moaning and begging for more. You complain I’m not romantic enough, well this was fucking romantic.” Nick gestured wildly at the scene of their recent interlude. His voice kept getting louder until he was booming at her.

“I used the fucking sterling silver set we got for our wedding and never used because you were waiting for a special occasion. I used the damned china and crystal goblets. That’s fucking romantic. Yet you’re still not satisfied. You say I don’t get it. You’re right! I don’t! So, why don’t you tell me? What is your fucking problem? What the hell do you want from me?”

Mindy clutched her clothes to her chest, suddenly wanting to hide her body from him.

“Nick, you say fucking to me one more time in that tone of voice, and I swear to God you won’t have to worry about what my problem is anymore. In fact, you won’t have to worry about me anymore at all.”

Mindy wasn’t aware she was that close to leaving Nick until the words were out of her mouth. But once she’d said them, she knew it wasn’t an idle threat. She just wasn’t sure how much more she could take. She looked down at him. Even with his face contorted in anger he was gorgeous, with his tousled hair and bare chest still gleaming with the sweat worked up from their recent sexual escapade. Pain so intense it was almost physical shot through her.

God, she loved him so much. The last thing in the world she wanted to do was leave him, but she would be damned if she’d go on living the way they had lately.