Me:You guys could always get married at the Registry Office if you want to speed things along.
Skylar:Fuck no! My first wedding was small and pretty disastrous thanks to Kaden’s drunk, idiotic family. This time around, I want everyone there. All of mine and Heath’s side. I want it big. Not too big. Just a little bigger.
Me:Done. Done. And done! We’ll make sure it all happens! I’m so fucking excited!
Skylar:ME TOO! I love you, sis! I’ll call you once I’ve sent out the wedding invites.
Me:Can’t wait! Love you! My heart swells at thethought of my sister finally getting her happily ever after.
Knowing I’ll stand beside her as maid of honour, I can’t imagine anything better. She deserves the wedding of her dreams, and I’ll go to great lengths to make sure she gets it.
I glance at the time—almost 5:30 in the evening. My stomach growls loudly, reminding me it’s definitely time to haul my arse to the shops for some groceries.
After a quick shower, I slip into a pair of ripped jeans, a thick sweater, and my well-worn sneakers. With my phone and purse in hand, I head outside to the car.
Fifteen minutes later, I arrive at the store and grab a basket, heading straight for my favourite section—the snack aisle. I pick out some popcorn, vegetable chips, dark chocolate, and an extra-large packet of chocolate-chip cookies, because, why the fuck not?
While browsing the juice aisle, lost in the sea of organic options, I suddenly hear my name.
“Hi, Mila.”
I spin around and come face to face with the one person I’ve missed terribly these past nine months. Jake stands before me, a wide smile lighting up his face, instantly warming my chest.Before I can say a word, he rushes towards me, his little arms squeezing my waist tightly, and I wrap myself around him just as gently and fiercely.God, I’ve missed you!
“Sweetie, what are you doing here all by yourself?” I ask, just as a familiar deep voice calls out from behind me.
“Dammit, Jake! Where the hell did you run off to?”
I straighten my spine, my arms still holding Jake firmly against me, and slowly turn around. The moment our eyes meet, Jason lets out a sharp breath.
It’s the first time in nine months that we’ve seen each other face to face. The day after I ended our relationship, I called him to say I couldn’t work for him anymore, that it would be too hard, too complicated if I kept going to their place. He understood completely, and though I could hear the pain in his voice, he accepted it without argument. It was one of the hardest days of my life, knowing I wasn’t just losing Jason—I was losing Jake as well.
We occasionally texted, always keeping it friendly and brief. I knew it was his way of showing me that he was still around, while respecting my need for space. The last I heard from him was a few months ago, when he texted to say that Kaden’s baby wasn’t his, that his mistress-girlfriend had cheated on him, and that he was now living with them. It was our longest conversation to date, given the nature of the news, but it was also the last time we spoke.
And now, here he is, standing in front of me after months apart—as all the old feelings come rushing back. Judging by the look on his face, I can tell he’s feeling it too.
“Hello, Jason,” I say with a warm smile.
His mouth opens, then closes again, as if he can’t quite believe I’m really here.
I chuckle because he looks like a fish out of water—wide-eyed and mouth opening and closing.
“Mila.” His voice is soft yet deep, the familiar sound sending a rush of warmth through me as my name rolls off his lips. I could stay here forever, just listening to him say it again and again.
“What’s wrong, Dad?” Jake asks, breaking me from my thoughts. “She said hi.” His pointed look at his father is almost adult-like.
Jason clears his throat, his gaze still fixed on mine. “Sorry, bud. I was going to say hello, but I’m still trying to believe if whatI’m seeing is real.” His voice is just above a whisper as he asks, “Are you really here?”
I nod slowly. “I’m here.”
He lets out a long exhale, like he’s been holding his breath since he saw me. Then he closes the distance between us, standing just inches away. His gaze slowly drifts down my body and up again, as if trying to soak everything in.
“You really are here,” he whispers, more a statement than a question.
“She already said she is, Dad.” Jake rolls his eyes, then lets go of me to look up at his father, his head tilted right back. “Now can you just say you’re sorry for being a butthead so she’ll come visit us again?”
The look Jason fixes his son makes me want to burst out laughing.
Oh, how I’ve missed this.
