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I shrug and set the glass down before I accidentally spill it.Pull it together, bitch.
“Just rumors.”
“A shame,” Miley says before pressing her lips together. “I do love a good dose of gossip.”
My best friend is so far removed from that part of my life, it’s crazy to think we were even living together at the time.
But I guess I’m just that good at keeping secrets.
If only I were that good at keeping myself from thinking of him.
I constantly prick myself over thoughts of him, my brain having set up barbed wire around the perimeter of our memories together.
But it’s worth the sting.
That sting reminds me of the all-consuming love I once tumbled into. And how I’ll be a little more careful with my heart next time.
“Well,” Miley starts, her eyes on her phone, “it seems our sacred time has come to a close.” She shows me her phone and when I see Sam’s name, I grin.
“Go on. I’ve got the bill.”
“Call me later if you want to bounce design ideas off me,” she tells me as she rises, grabbing her clutch and pressing a kiss to my cheek before she answers the phone.
I hear her giggle tinkle somewhere behind me as I wave the waitress over and hand her my card. As I wait, I look through my own phone, a text message from Peter waiting for me.
Peter: Don’t forget you’ve got the girls today.
I don’t smile at the sight of his name. I don’t giggle on the phone with him. And, sure, the honeymoon phase doesn’t last forever. But when I look back on our time together, I can’t deny the lingering notion that I chose him because he’d undeniably chosen me.
And it felt great to be his number one. Safe, dependable Peter. He’d been exactly what I needed.
The waitress hands me my card and I’m standing when someone bumps into me from behind, causing me to nearly tumble over.
“I’m so sor—”
The apology dies on his lips as he gets a good look at me, helping me straighten.
It’s been so long since I’ve seen him this close that I wonder, in spite of his hand gripping my elbow to steady me, if I’m dreaming him up.
Had Peter’s touch ever felt like this?
Here I am, somewhere between a love too tame to warm me and a love I once burned to experience.
Before I can think twice about it, I yank my elbow from his grip.
Because what the fuck is going on?
There’s no such thing as a coincidence these days.
“What are you…” I glance around to make sure Miley is gone. “What the hell are you doing here?” I demand, smoothing my linen pants to mask the way my palms have suddenly dampened.
“Not the warm reception I was hoping for,Stellina,” he murmurs, his eyes roving over me like they’re trying to piece together the memory of me with the woman standing here now.
“Answer my question. Are you…” I lean in close, hating that I can smell him and how familiar his scent still is, even after all these years. “Are youfollowingme?”
He chuckles and it isn’t the adamant denial I was hoping for.
“Here’s your lunch, sir,” a voice says from behind me. “Did you have trouble finding the restroom?”
