We all laugh—well, sort of. I’m trying.
“Home Aloneis hands down the best. Don’t even argue,” Cooper says.
Vivian grins. “It’s good, but I love Jim Carrey.The Grinchwill always be my favorite.”
Leo points at Cooper. “No, she’s right.Home Alonetakes the win. And Stella, I’m sorry, but I’m with the guys.Die Hardcounts.”
“What about you, Al?” Vivian asks.
“Oh, um…Home Alone, for sure. But I love the second one. I’m a sucker for New York.” A smile tugs at my lips, and for a second, I let myself enjoy the moment.
That’s when Adam shows up. And hey, at least I’m not the only single one anymore.
“Hey!” everyone chimes in at once.
“Hey guys. Sorry I’m late, got held up at the office.”
Leo stands to greet him, slapping his back. “No worries, mate. Glad you made it.”
“Here, why don’t you sit next to Alley,” Vivian offers, sliding out of the booth.
Adam scoots in beside me.
“Hey, Al.”
“Hey,” I reply, trying to sound upbeat.
The cocktail waitress swings by, and Adam orders a drink while Cooper, Leo, and Michael ask for refills.
Adam’s cute. He always has been. But when I glance at the side of his face, I feel… nothing.
Damn.If my childhood crush can’t even get me excited about being single, I’m screwed.
The truth is, I’m terrified of being divorced. You’d think I’d be used to the idea by now. I’ve had four months to prepare. And what’s worse is, I don’t know if it’s the idea of being single that scares me—dating, putting myself out there, being vulnerable, being lonely—or if it’s knowing no one will ever measure up to the Jensen I loved when things were good. When he was mine. When he was stillhim.
No one else will ever be that great. Ever.
Shit. Am I being too brash?Do I give him another chance? I clearlywantto.
But all I have to do is remember our last night together. And the one before that. And the week before that.
The night he chose his backpack over me.
Laughter pulls me back to the present. Leo catches my gaze from across the table and gives me a wink. On the end, Ryan pulls Cooper in for a heated kiss. It makes me envious as hell, and at the same time, it makes me want to cry.
I grab my phone from my purse. I still need to text Jensen. I can’t live in this nothing space any longer.
Pulling up our text thread, I reread his last message. Then the one I sent a few days ago.
And then I read them again.
I don’t know why this is so hard. The decision’s been made. We’re getting a divorce. Seeing him would only confuse things. Hurt us both.
My fingers move before I can talk myself out of it.
Hey… I’ve had some time to think about it, and I really think it’s best if we let our lawyers handle everything. I don’t want to question my decision. I don’t trust myself to see you. But I’m really happy you’re doing well. Thanks for reaching out.
Thanks for reaching out?I stare at the words. They feel cold. Robotic. Final. But maybe that’s what they need to be.
