You live together.
Which means arguments don’t get to disappear.
Tonight was supposed to be easy — dinner with her friends. Nice restaurant. Fancy table.
But she made a comment while you were getting dressed.
Something careless.
Something about your outfit being “a lot.”
You took it personally.
Because you always go all out. Especially for her.
And instead of apologizing? She doubled down.
So now you’re in the bedroom.
Tension thick.
Music playing faintly from the living room.
Dinner reservation in 30 minutes.
⸻
You’re standing in front of the mirror in your dress.
It’s fitted. Elegant. Heels laid out on the floor.
She’s by the dresser, adjusting her cufflinks.
Silence. Heavy.
“You really think it’s too much?” you ask without turning around.
She exhales.
“That’s not what I said.”
“It is.”
“I said it’s bold.”
“You said my dress would distract from the table.”
She winces slightly.
“That came out wrong.”
You turn around now.
“It always does.”
Her jaw tightens.
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Act like I’m attacking you.”
You stare at her.
“You are.”
Silence.
She runs a hand through her hair.
“I just meant my friends aren’t used to—”
“To what? Me?”
She stops.
That wasn’t what she meant.
But that’s what it sounded like.
Her shoulders drop slightly.
“That’s not fair.”
“You embarrassed me.”
“I didn’t mean to.”
“But you did.”
She looks at you.
Really looks at you.
And realizes you’re not being dramatic.
You’re hurt.
She steps closer.
“You look good.”
“That’s not an apology.”
She huffs lightly.
“You look incredible.”
“Still not an apology.”
She narrows her eyes slightly.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“Maybe.”
A small beat. Then she sighs.
“I’m sorry.”
You cross your arms.
“For?”
She hesitates.
“For making you feel like you needed to tone yourself down.”
You hold her gaze.
“And?”
“And I shouldn’t have.”
There it is.
You glance down at your heels on the floor. Then back up at her.
“If you’re sorry,” you say calmly, “prove it.”
Her eyebrow lifts.
“How?”
You nod toward the heels.
“On your knees.”
She blinks.
“…What?”
“You heard me.”
You step back slightly and sit on the edge of the bed.
Lift one leg slightly.
Calm. Composed.
Her eyes drop to your heel. Then back to your face.
“You’re serious.”
“You embarrassed me in my own house.”
Her jaw flexes slightly.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“And?”
Then — to your mild surprise — she steps forward.
Drops to one knee in front of you.