AllFreeNovel
Share Us
One
Axel
I loosen my tie, the silk feeling suddenly restrictive around my neck as I await her arrival.
Maya.
Her name echoes in my mind, conjuring up memories of our youth, our passion. We were high school sweethearts whose young love grew into something deeper. Something real. Through college, marriage, careers, we weathered it all together. Until now.
My eyes drift over the crowded hotel bar, searching. Needing to see her face again. Her smile. The way her nose crinkles when she laughs. How her locks fall just so across her bare shoulders…
There. I spot her across the room, weaving her way through the clusters of people. My heart leaps. She’s still as beautiful as the day I first saw her, as captivating as ever.
I stand to greet her, pulse quickening. Our eyes meet and something passes between us. That spark. It’s been too long.
“Maya,” I say as she approaches. Her name tastes like honey on my lips.
She gives me a small smile. “Axel.”
Her voice washes over me like a warm breeze. I fight the urge to reach out, to pull her into my arms like I’ve done countless times before. But there’s a new distance between us now. One I’m desperate to close.
“Let me get you a drink,” I say.
She nods and I signal the bartender. As we wait, the silence grows deafening. I ache to bridge this gap, to find the right words to make her understand how much I need her. How empty my life has been without her in it.
The drinks arrive, and I raise my glass.
“To new beginnings,” I say, hoping she can see the promise in my eyes. This is my chance to remind her of what we once shared. To reignite that spark between us. I’ll do whatever it takes to win back her heart.
Maya clinks her glass against mine, though her expression remains guarded. We both take a sip, the tension palpable.
“How have you been?” I ask.
“Busy. The bakery’s taken off.”
“That’s great. I’m happy for you.”
An awkward beat. I used to know this woman better than myself. Now every word feels like navigating a minefield.
“What about you?” she asks. “How’s work?”
“Good, good. Busy too. It’s signing season, so I’m working around the clock.”
She nods, glancing around the bar. I want to reach out and turn her face back to mine. To caress that beautiful jawline like I’ve done countless times before.
Instead, I say, “Do you remember our first date? When I took you to that fancy Italian place and tried to impress you by ordering the most expensive thing on the menu?”
That gets me a small smile. “You pretended to be some food expert,” she lets out a soft laugh.
I chuckle. “Had no clue what I was doing.”
“Clearly.” Her eyes sparkle with mirth, and for a moment it feels just like old times. Like I could lean in and kiss her and everything would be right again.
But the light fades too quickly from her eyes. Maya finishes her drink and gathers her purse.
“Was there something in particular you wanted to discuss?”
My heart sinks. “I just wanted to see you, Maya.”
