“You don’t sound too thrilled.”
Because I’m not.
For the oddest reason, a part of me wanted Bryce to stay longer than a night… and probably needed him to. But I wasn’t about to admit that to Klarissa.
“It’s just a lot to process,” I said instead. “I mean, not seeing someone you were literally planning to walk down the aisle with for two years… then boom, y’all end up at the same cabin with people you’re not even really taking serious? It’s…”
“Ghetto divine intervention!” Klarissa declared triumphantly, as if she had a direct line to Heaven. “That’s exactly what this sounds like! God said, ‘Since you still got feelings and I’m tired of you walking around with all this sadness, let me sprinkle a little petty on your weekend. Here’s your ex-fiancé, an unexpected guest star, and some forced proximity—now talk!”
I groaned, feeling both amused and overwhelmed. “Girl…”
Then she sobered, just a little. “No, but seriously, Chess, maybe this ain’t just a coincidence. Maybe y’all were meant to see each other again like this—random, unexpected, on neutral ground. One thing I do know? God doesn’t move sloppy. What if Bryce showing up like that wasn’t just bad timing? What if it was alignment? Girl, God lowkey orchestrated this before you even packed your bonnet. He knew y’all would both be there, and he knew you’d try to act unbothered while your insides doing jumping jacks.”
Klarissa gave me a look. “Maybe it’s not about getting back together; maybe it’s just about facing what y’all never unpacked, maybe it’s peace, maybe it’s closure. Or maybe…” She paused, eyes locking with mine. “Maybe it’s stilly’all.”
I leaned against the railing, quiet.
“I just want you to enjoy this weekend, friend. You need it, and you damn sure deserve it. You’re one of the hardest professors at that college. You really be carrying that damn wholedepartment. I’m not ashamed to say I do the bare minimum on a lot of days. I be over there giving students participation points just for showing up without an attitude, and grading with my spirit, not no rubric. Meanwhile,yoube over there with color-coded lesson plans and emotional support office hours.”
We shared a laugh.
“Girl, you betterbreathethis weekend,” she finished, then added with a mischievous grin, “Oh, and I hope it snows like it’s mad at the ground, and y’all get snowed in with no Wi-Fi, no cell service, and only one blanket. That way, Bryce has no other choice but to stayrightthere! God clearly said, ‘Y’all gon’ deal with this today… or tomorrow! But that’s justmylittle wishful prayer.”
I chuckled. “Yeah…yours.”
“And yours too,” she smirked, pointing her acrylic nails at me. “Even though you won’t admit it.”
She knows me so well.
Right then, I heard the deck door creak open. I turned my head and saw Bryce, stepping outside like fate just pressed play again on an unwritten script.
“Uh, Klarissa… I’ll call you back tomorrow, boo," I said, voice breaking slightly as I spoke.
“You good?” I saw the concern on her face.
“Y−Yeah,” I replied, though my heart raced at the sight of him.
“Well, alright. But make sure you talk to Bryce… it’s time. And try to get some dick, too. Cabin sex hits different, especially when there’s history. Oh—and if you can, sneak a pic of ol’ girl and send that. I wanna see what we’re up against.”
I chuckled. “Bye, fool.”
I hung up, still smiling, then turned to face what was waiting behind me.
“You didn’t have to get off the phone for me,” Bryce said as he stepped fully onto the deck. “I just needed some air.”
And you couldn’t get that from the front? I thought, eyes still fixed on the trees.
“How Klarissa doing?” he asked, his voice tinged with genuine curiosity.
I smirked a little, trying to brush off the tension. “Still, Klarissa.”
Bryce nodded knowingly, like he had expected that answer.
“Look, Chess…” He turned slightly toward me with his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his hoodie. “I wasn’t trying to ruin your weekend. I honestly thought it was my month. I just went back and looked over everything… and you were right. That’s on me.”
I shifted my weight, turning to face him slowly. “It’s cool,” I said, offering a light shrug. “We’re all here now.”
“Like I said, I’ll be gone in the morning.” Bryce’s voice dipped with a hint of regret coloring his words.
