Andy is doing a Tuesday writing prompt so of course I jumped on board. I’m working on developing a thicker skin so I’m asking for critique on this. Keep it constructive!
Prompt: Guilty Conscience
Length: 200 words
—
“What’s all this about? It’s not my birthday?”
The pleasure at his “surprise present” was disappearing as she narrowed her eyes on him. He worked hard to keep the easy smile on his face, even a flinch would crack his mask.
“Just because, baby.” He smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear, his mind noting that it didn’t feel anything like Tracy’s. Shaking the damning thought from his mind, he pulled her into his arms. “Can’t I get my wife a present without having a reason?”
He could feel the disbelief rolling off her. This unexpected gift was a fluke and they both knew it, but he prayed she’d let it lie.
When she relaxed against him, he almost sighed with relief. The tension leaked out like water flowing out a faucet as he realized he dodged that bullet. If she found out, if she knew, he’d be in deep doo.
She shouldn’t have found the box. A prick of something that wasn’t quite guilt nagged him, but he pushed it away. His wife could find the jewelry meant for someone else as long as she never found out about the someone else meant to receive the jewelry.