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Dylan: You and I both know how this is going to go.
Oh, God. He does remember. This is a blast from the past.Biting my lip, I type back.
Emma: And how is this going to go?
Dylan: Same as all those years ago, but this time I’m not going to let you go.
I suck in a breath as I read that last text. My heart is racing at the idea of being with him again. You never truly get over your first love. My knee jerk reaction is to run for the hills, I don’t know if I can handle that kind of heartbreak again. Before I can type out a reply, another text hits my phone.
Dylan:Sorry, I am not sure how that came across over text. I haven’t flirted with a woman in a while, a bit out of practice.
Emma: So, you’re flirting with me?
Ok, I can’t help it. I want to flirt back. Flirting I can handle, as long as he doesn’t get too serious.
Dylan: Of course I am! How could I not? You know you were always the one that got away. I’m just afraid of messing this up again.
And, it just got serious.Damn it.I take a long drink of water from my tumbler on my desk and set it down. There are back to back texts before I can reply.
Dylan: I just want to be completely honest with you.
Dylan: And…I’ve scared you off.
Emma: I mean, a little. But it would be nice to see you again, to catch up.
I don’t know what else to say. He’s coming in hot, and I’m afraid if he keeps this up, I will fall for him as hard and fast like last time.I can hear him out though, right? As friends?
Dylan: Can I pick you up Sunday?
Emma: Sure, any time after 3 should be fine.
Dylan: Perfect, I’ll pick you up at 5. Just send me the address and I’ll be there.
I send it to him, order my coffee and sandwich, and at this point it feels like my whole day has escaped me. I have only a few hours before I need to head home for the weekend. I scramble to wrap up a few projects, and before I know it, I am out the door and into my car.
Once I’m home, I kick off my shoes and hear Lily’s and my kids in my living room fighting over the Xbox remotes. I avoid the chaos and head in the kitchen. “Hey, Lil, how were they?”
“Oh, you know my own kids arewaymore work than yours!” She is so amazing, always helping me out when my childcare falls through. She’s especially great with Aiden. Lily reminds me of my sister, Charlotte—both of them are so patient and wonderful with him. Charlotte is neurodivergent herself, so I feel like she gets Aiden on a level I probably never could. I just wish she lived closer, I miss her terribly.
“Thanks again for getting them home.” I open the fridge to grab a sparkling water. “So…it looks like my date was moved up.”
She stops what she’s doing to turn and face me, looking way too excited about this whole thing with my ex. “Your date with Dylan?!”
I recount the texts from him today, and she grabs her phone to start looking for date outfits for me, while I finish making dinner for everyone. I don’t know what I would do without her! “You know, Lil, if this Dylan thing doesn’t work out, we should just move in together.”
“I don’t think Andrew would go for it, but you would definitely be my first choice if we wanted to spice things up.” She jokingly wiggles her eyebrows and we both laugh.
Once everyone is fed, Lily heads home with her kids. I help my boys with their homework and get them ready for bed. We are all exhausted from the long week.
Before I plug in my phone for the night, I pull up the text thread from earlier, like the masochist that I am, only to find a new text from Dylan. I truly am a glutton for punishment.
Dylan: Goodnight, beautiful.
I’m going to fall for him again, aren’t I?
Chapter seven
Dylan
