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He stole. He plundered. I wished I could wipe him clean off the face of the earth.
I let out a long breath, trying to bring my mind back to the present. To do something that wouldn’t make me seem like I was a petulant schoolboy about to complain.
It was funny, because she’d lost more than I ever had.
But I’d losther.
And in that, I just...
It sucked. That was it. And no, it didn’t change what I felt about Rory. Rory was my present.
That didn’t mean the past couldn’t still hurt sometimes.
She sat in front of me, pretty as ever in a flowing white dress, her hair pulled up into a sleek ponytail.
I hadn’t seen her smile in years, but the small smile playing on her lips told me she wasn’t going to ignore everything I had to say.
Benji wouldn’t be happy if he knew about this.
“Emma...” I tapped my knuckles on my thighs, a little quirk I had when anxiety felt like a whole, live, alter-ego inside me.
“I’m sorry I called you so suddenly,” I continued, unsure of what else to say.
“Why should you be sorry for asking me out to coffee, Noah?”
I’d forgotten how sweet her voice was. When was the last time I’d even spoken to her?
“Nine months ago.”
“Huh?” I looked up and saw her regarding me with a hawkish expression in her eyes. She had this uncanny ability—she could always tell what was going on with me.
I sighed and decided to go all in. “Emma, can we talk about whatever happened? I know...”
She continued looking at me. The barista called out her name, and she got up, brought a chai latte back to the table, and sat down.
“How are you, Noah?” she asked instead of humoring my attempts to steer the conversation. “I know your face. I can see you’ve found someone.”
Just the way I’d expected things to go.
But I refused to feel guilty about Rory. Why would I? It’s not like I left Emma. It’s not like I even had a chance with her—hell, I tried. I gave it my all. I’d still be trying if she hadn’t told me to fuck off and leave her alone.
“Look at me.”
I raised my head and reluctantly met her brown eyes.
“I’m very happy for you. Who is she?”
I exhaled. “She’s a student, Em. Takes my class. Also Benji’s and Eli’s.”
“Ah.” Her tone became teasing. “History does repeat itself, I see.”
“Look—”
“No, I’m not trying to be your enemy. Or hurt you. Or do anything, actually. But what I don’t know is why we’re here. You know there's nothing left between us .”
“But that’s not true.” I slapped my hand on the table. Emma’s eyes widened, and I retracted immediately. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. Look, Em. Rory—she’s catapulting toward the same kind of trouble that happened all those years ago.”
Her face turned to ash. “No,” she whispered. “He wouldn’t. Not after all the coverage?”
