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Before it gets serious.
* * *
Sally
The event was fun, albeit a little awkward at times. It’s odd, Victor has seemed off all evening. The charming and lively bits of him seemed tucked away tonight. It’s puzzling but I chalk it up to him being uncomfortable from the hiking incident.
We’re finally at my house and I want to invite him in, but this evening has had me considering maybe we’re not actually a good fit. I thought we had this marvelous chemistry, this white-hot passion between us. But this evening was peculiar.
Maybe one night of sexual passion and some great kisses was all that was meant for us. Besides, it’s not like our futures really line up. I’m mulling over what to do when Victor takes my hand. I turn to face him, his gaze soft.
“Sally, I appreciate our time together,” his voice tender. I may be rusty with dating, but any girl who’s ever seen a romance movie knows where this is going for the relationship.
“I know what you’re thinking,” I say. I squeeze his hand, the callouses rough against my palm. He frowns, his eyes almost misty.
“I just don’t think we’re a good fit for each other. We both want different things.”
At least he’s honest.
I miss living in the city and don’t necessarily want to get serious so quickly after my divorce. Victor has been up front about his desire to start a little family in Kastle Harbor. Our ideal futures don’t overlap.
“I know.”
He kisses my hand, his lips hovering for a moment longer. “If only we wanted the same thing.”
“If only,” I reply. I take my hand and say goodbye. He lets me leave.
No second glances, no stopping me.
I enter my home, leaving the lights off. It’s still early for me, but I decide to just head to bed. This breakup was amicable and for reasonable motives. No need for wine or ice cream.
I’ll try to get a good night’s sleep. Hopefully I’ll wake up tomorrow ready to move on from this short-term relationship. I simply remove my dress and take off my makeup with a damp washcloth. I don’t have the energy for anything complicated. I slip an oversized tee over my head and pull the covers back.
The tears start to fall the moment my head hits the pillow.
* * *
Victor
It’s been a few days since we ended things, but I miss talking with Sally. I suppose we could be friends. I don’t know how that would work out though with Marie and their whole ladies’ wine nights.
I try to focus on work. I’m in the process of going over orders when Marie interrupts me.
“Hey, how are things with you and Sally? Do you guys have any more fun dates planned?”
I assumed Sally would tell people and it would just trickle back to me.
“We decided to stop dating.” I tell her as I resume looking over the order sheets.
“No,” she drawls the one syllable word out much longer than needed.
“It was amicable, Marie. We both have different ideas of our futures. There’s no point in staying together if we’re holding the other back.”
“What are these so-called different futures?”
I grimace, I don’t know how close Sally is with my sister. Her secrets aren’t mine to tell.
“Let’s just say that Sally is only in Kastle Harbor temporarily. She lives in a rental and misses city life. It won’t be long before she decides to move away.”
