She had married a book. A book she believed she had thoroughly explored and understood, when in reality, she hadn't comprehended even a single page.
Sitting back down on the sofa, Julia Bluen picked up the bag of pistachios Glades Horne had opened and slowly began to eat them.
The pistachios tasted good; Julia felt they possessed a subtle magic, slowly consuming her heart.
After eating a few, she gently placed the bag back on the coffee table, leaned into the sofa, and observed Glades Horne with bright, almond-shaped eyes, seeing him as if for the first time.
Glades Horne had told her to wait half an hour, but there was no need; after just fifteen minutes, he finished his work.
Raising his eyes inadvertently, he met his wife's direct, appraising gaze. His eyes crinkled slightly, and a subtle smile touched his lips. He stood up, walked over to Julia in a few steps, bent down slightly, leaned in, and asked teasingly, "Seen enough? Want me to take off my clothes?"
"Fox!"
