A sincere thanks to neuroparenthetical for helping improve the story through such detailed feedback and editing.
"Tonight?" James asked, unable to hide his surprise. "I mean, I guess that's fine. It just seems strange; you've always given me the impression you didn't care for him."
"I know," Jane said over the phone, "and honestly, I don't, but... well, he seemed kind of pathetic, and I think he's excited to show off that he has a date. I'm sorry. I know it's short notice. I was thinking I'd just make some pasta. Maybe chicken parmesan? I know it's your favorite."
Jane didn't merely not care for Principal Spellman. She absolutely did not want to have him in their home for dinner; she didn't want him in her home for anything, but he'd cornered her between classes earlier that day and had basically invited himself. He hadn't specifically threatened to expose their secret if she didn't invite him, but he hadn't needed to. That was the nature of the beast. He had also bragged about some "new hottie" he was dating, as he'd put it, and that he'd be bringing her along. Jane thought it unlikely any "hotties" were interested in Barry Spellman, but she'd bitten her tongue.
She wasn't even sure why he was so interested in coming over for dinner; she could only hope that showing off his date was his only motivation. All she knew was that he thought of him anywhere near her husband terrified her. Still, she was forced to play the odds. It was less likely he'd blab, she wagered, if she simply acceded to inviting him to dinner.
"Well, okay I guess," James sighed. "I mean, maybe it isn't such a bad idea to get to know him a bit better. You have said that at some point you'd like to be considered for the vice-principal position when Mrs. Jensen goes on maternity leave in a couple of months."
It was Jane's turn to sigh. She had indeed expressed that she was interested in that position. She was ambitious and wanted to grow her career. It was a decent pay bump and the next step in her long term goals, but the thought of working closer repulsed her: having an office next to his, attending many of the same meetings as him, and even simply being considered part of the same "establishment" as him amongst the other teachers. She wasn't alone in how she felt about him; she knew all too well what having his stink on her would mean for her other professional relationships, even if that stink were to be purely figurative.
"Thanks, honey," she said. "You're always so understanding. I really don't deserve you." She knew she was laying it on a bit thick, but she really did feel lucky to have James. They'd had some rocky times lately, but there had also been some interesting developments in their relationship that had resulted in some incredible sex lately. It was a difficult path for her to navigate, but she knew he secretly harbored some fantasies that had recently come to light, though it wasn't entirely clear how far he was willing to explore them.
"You're right," he joked. "You don't. Seriously, it's all good. I'll see you at home."
As the rest of the afternoon passed by, Jane couldn't shake the growing anxiety in her stomach. It continued to build on her drive home, and by the time she got into the house, she was a bundle of nerves.
After dropping her keys on the table and kicking off her heels, she headed straight to the wine cupboard and pulled out a bottle of her favorite red. She drank half the first glass in one gulp, then stood with her hands on the counter, trying to settle her nerves. Instead, she started thinking about all the many things that could go wrong later that night, and about how anxious she was going to be, never mind how anxious she was making herself already. She didn't trust Spellman's character or his competence; she was equally worried he'd let something slip on purpose or by accident. As to the former, she resigned herself to playing the perfect hostess. For the latter, she had nothing but prayers -- and with little faith behind them.
She finished the glass of wine in a second gulp and poured another before turning on the oven and beginning to prep.
***
The sound of the doorbell caused Jane to jump; she almost spilled her fourth glass of wine.
"Honey, relax," James said, squeezing her shoulders and giving her a peck on the cheek. "Everything is going to go fine; there's no need to be nervous."
Jane bit her lip and stared at the front door. It was just past 7 p.m., which meant Spellman was almost a half hour early. Dinner was essentially ready, but she'd been dreading his arrival, hoping against hope that her phone would ring and he would tell her he had to cancel. With that hope well and truly dashed, she took one final deep breath and headed towards the door, where James was already waiting.
She swung it open and was immediately taken aback; Spellman was alone.
He had a shit-eating grin on his face as he handed Jane a bottle of wine. "Thanks for inviting me over, Jane." He looked over at her husband. "You must be James."
James reached out his hand and the two shook. The three of them shared an awkward silence before Jane realized both the Principal and her husband were looking at her expectantly.
"Aren't you going to ask me in?" Spellman asked.
Jane's heart raced as she took the bottle from him. "Of course," she replied. "Sorry Mr. Spellman." She forced a smile and stepped aside, motioning for him to enter.
"Please, we're closer than that," he said. "Call me Barry." He stepped into the house, leaned in, and gave Jane an unpleasant peck on her cheek. She instinctively recoiled, but he gave no indication he'd noticed.
"Um, would you like a drink before dinner?" James asked as he led Spellman to the living room and motioned toward a chair.
Spellman settled onto the plush couch instead. "Sure, that would be great."
James poured the last of the bottle of wine into a glass and handed it to their guest.
"Thanks," Spellman said as he took the glass and brought it to his lips.
Jane quickly retrieved another bottle from the cupboard and opened it, pouring herself a generous glass. Dubiously rearmed, she rejoined her husband and their solitary company. "So where is your date?" she asked, her tone more brusque than she'd meant it to be.
"Jane!" James exclaimed from the lone chair across from Spellman.
"My date?" Spellman asked, looking confused for just a moment. "Oh, right. Well, she couldn't make it, unfortunately. She had some family emergency come up."
"I'm so sorry to hear that," James said. "I hope everything is okay."
"Oh, it's fine. To be honest, it's not that serious between the two of us anyhow. I'm not done playing the field, if you know what I mean." He winked at James before taking a long sip of wine, his eyes turning to Jane over the rim of his glass.
"Oh, right," James said nervously. "Well, anyhow, we're glad you could make it. Jane has often said she really enjoys working with you."
"Oh really?" Spellman said, smiling slyly at Jane, who remained standing at the foot of the sofa. "And just what kind of flattering things have you shared about me, Jane?" His tone dripped with innuendo; Jane could feel her face begin to flush. He patted a spot on the sofa next to him.
"Um, well, you know. You're a very dedicated principal -- very hands on and always involved on a personal level with students and teachers." It was rote recitation, and a stall for time. She looked briefly around the room for any other place to sit. Finally she relented and sat down on the other end of the sofa from her boss.
