244 I Want This Wedding

(Winona)

A week has passed since that night, since I heard Jayden say her name in his sleep. Ashlyn.

Even worse, he was having sex with her in his sleep, or whatever it was they did to require the use of his safe word. I’m rattled. I’m back to thinking that this is a part of his needs I can’t fulfill.

It’s been bothering me, like an itch I can’t scratch. He hasn’t mentioned her since, and in every other way, he’s been perfect. But that dream, the way he said her name, the small groan. The safe word. It’s all still here in my head, eating away at me.

I’m sitting across from Barnaby during my weekly therapy session, spilling it all out. I want to stop these sessions after I’m married. The way I’m going, the session will never end.

“I know it sounds crazy,” I say, my hands twisting in my lap, fingers interlocked in a nervous knot. “I know he’s dealing with a lot—Henry, the wedding, everything. But why is he calling out to her, you know? Ashlyn? It’s like… is he still in love with her?”

B