As the months went by, Caleb had started a new job in a building site as a foreman.Mariyah took a break from teaching, she needed time to recuperate from the year that had passed.Doing yoga as instructed by her physician, apparently it will help her see clarity and help her deal with her anxiety...It did nothing but frustrate her.She hated exercise more than she hated anything.Yoga my ass she thought after one lesson.
The yoga teacher was another thing, he was hot, it had been almost five months since she had last seen Zak, Brent Daniels was blonde with dark blue eyes and a dashing smile, he had dimples that would make any girls heart melt.His body was gorgeous and he was interested in Mariyah.
After a lesson where Mariyah had completely given up on yoga she went up to Brent and told him she was not going to continue "I know it’s hard Mariyah but if you hang in there you will find fulfillment."Mariyah smiled at him, getting a little lost in his blue eyes
"Yeah...No this is so not for me, the whole time I'm trying to keep my balance all I can think about is food.I'm sorry, it's just not me."Brent laughed gracing Mariyah with a glimpse of his dimples.
"Okay I won't force you...Have dinner with me."Mariyah looked at him in shock.Could she do it?Wow, why the hell not?Nothing was keeping her from dating...Nothing but a broken heart.
"Okay, just a friendly dinner."His laughter exposing his perfect white teeth
"Of course a friendly dinner, what other kind are there?"He winked at her.After giving him her address he told her he'd pick her up at seven.She waved at him as she made her way to her car.She was really doing this, well it's about time, enough with this secluded life, you live in a one horse town, time to make some friends.Caleb was too busy to keep being her friend all the time.
Dressed in a simple black dress with a thin red belt and of course she wore heels.Mariyah decided on leaving her hair down.She applied a little make up and sprayed her perfume.Looking at her reflection Mariyah was happy with her choice, the dress revealed no cleavage and was a very sensible dress to wear on a first date.
Zak's face popped up in her head, would he know she was out on a date?The better question was, would he even care?Stop thinking about him Mariyah, he's out of your life, it all seemed like a really bad dream now.The whole thing was crazy.How she ended up involved still shocked her.It was time to move on.
When Brent arrived Mariyah was a little shy.He was the first guy that had caught her interest since Zak, maybe it was the fact that he was totally opposite to Zak.Zak who was dark and dangerous and was covered in tattoos, who seemed to own everybody, whereas Brent was blond with blue eyes, calm and safe.Not a single tattoo on his perfect body.When he smiled it seemed the whole world smiled with him.When Zak smiled although it was heart stopping, it usually meant trouble.Time to play it safe Mariyah.
He took her to a fancy five star restaurant.It was nice, the entire evening was nice.He was quite the charmer, she found herself laughing and was really enjoying her nice date.Everything was nice, like she wanted, nice, nice, nice.
"Earth to Mariyah."Mariyah blinked a few times, she wasn't even aware that she was daydreaming.
"Hey, I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something…" He smiled sweetly at her.
"Do tell."She rolled her eyes at him and smiled before replying.
"Was thinking how nice this has been.It has been forever since I went out and it was lovely, so thank you."
"Your very welcome, is there a reason you haven't been dating?If you don't mind me asking?"How to answer?
"Bad break up is all.Anyway it was nice to get out and you have been wonderful company."
"It kind of sounds final."
"Brent, it's going to take some time, I can't promise you anything except friendship for now.I'm sorry, I thought I might be ready, it turns out I'm not."Brent nodded his head.
"I understand, as long as we are friends, it's all good."
"Thank you again."
***
It was such a relief that the date was not awkward, Caleb wanted all the details when she got home "It was nice."
"As opposed to?"
"Caleb, it was a nice night, he was nice, the food was nice the restaurant was nice...Everything was fucking nice."
"Mariyah, you can't continue to put yourself through this honey...Nice is good, nice is safe.Trust me on this Mari."
"I know your right, I do but my heart won't give up hope.I've tried Caleb, I really have, I'm just not coping at all."
"I know Mari, I can see it, don't worry, we'll get through this.It's just going to take some time."Mariyah nodded her head.She hoped he was right.
The next day Mariyah was home alone, Caleb would still be at work and she had the house to herself.Deciding on preparing dinner for Caleb, Mariyah got to work.Once dinner was simmering, she quickly hurried in for a shower and changed into cotton shorts and a singlet, needing the comfort.
Caleb had arrived after her shower and she served dinner, they ate together as they had many times before.It felt so rehearsed."How was work?"She asked her brother.
