Today is the third anniversary of you and your husband, Dave York.

As every other anniversary, you made steaks, salad, and his favorite red wine has already been poured into the decanter.

You sat by the table, glancing at the clock. 17:21, Dave’s going to be at home in…. 3,2,1— The door opens “Evening sweetheart, happy anniversary.” Dave walks in, shrugging off his coat and hanging it on the hat rack.

You quickly glanced him over and noticed two tiny splatters of blood on his clothes, barely visible, but there nonetheless. You knew exactly who he is and what he does: a former CIA agent, now a cold-blooded assassin willing to do anything for money. Yet all he’s told you is that he’s retired from the CIA.

He lied, but so did you. You never told him who you really are, yet he never asked. Whether that’s simply ignorant or strategy, you still haven’t figured out.

He walked over to the table, pulling out the chair before he pressed a quick kiss on your cheek. You smiled at him brightly but you registered the faint smell of gunpowder beneath his cologne. “Smells incredible,” he said, unfolding his napkin. “Same recipe,” you placed his plate down. “You liked it the first year.” “I like it every year.”

Neither of you spoke, exchanging only occasional glances, polite, controlled. The quiet between you was so thick it seemed you could hear each other’s breath.

“The wine’s good,” he said, reaching for his wine glass. “I saved it. Bought it last year.” “Planning ahead?” “I like planning. Don’t you?”

His eyes lingered on yours. That long, slow kind of gaze that felt like he’s measuring you, not with affection, but with intent. But he quickly masked it with a smile. “I appreciate it”

“You look great tonight” He sipped his wine, observing you from the rim of his glass. You raised your glass, clinking with his, “Thank you, you are surprisingly good at being observant”

He let out a low laugh, eyes glinting with something unreadable, amused, perhaps, or something else entirely. But it was gone as quickly as it came, hiding behind his dark puppy eyes. He spoke up again“You know I pay attention to everything about you.”