As the evening settled in, I could sense a slight tension brewing when my husband, Alex, started searching for his car keys. He had planned to meet a few old friends for a night out, something he hadn’t done in a long time. Watching him rummage through drawers and check under couch cushions, I felt a pang of guilt mixed with my desire to keep him home with me.

“Looking for something?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“Yeah, my keys. Have you seen them?” he replied, clearly puzzled. His brows furrowed as he patted his pockets for the umpteenth time.

“No, but why don’t you stay in tonight? We could watch that new movie you mentioned the other day, just relax together,” I suggested, hoping to divert his attention and soften the blow of my little deception.

Alex paused and looked at me, a hint of suspicion in his eyes. He knows me too well. “You didn’t, did you?” he asked, half-smiling yet unsure.

I met his gaze, biting my lip. “Maybe… I just thought we could use a quiet night in, just the two of us.”