Page 37 of After Everything
"Right, well, he's been asking about you again. Apparently he just got back from a year in Seattle and wants to know if you'reseeing anyone." She waggled her eyebrows. "Should I tell him you're available?"
I thought about it. Connor had been nice. A little boring, maybe, but nice. Stable. The kind of guy who texted when he said he would and didn't have any secret affair partners.
"Sure," I said. "Why not?"
"Really?" Jess looked surprised. "I was expecting you to say you're too busy with work or some other excuse."
"I am busy with work," I said. "But that doesn't mean I can't go on a date. Give him my number."
Jess pulled out her phone immediately. "Oh, I'm doing this right now before you change your mind. This is happening."
I laughed and picked up the menu, scanning the familiar options. Pad Thai. Green curry. Drunken noodles.
I thought of David again for a split second, but he was just a blip. A ghost from my past that I'd run into and barely registered. He didn't get to take up space in my head anymore. Didn't get to disrupt my dinnerplans or make me feel anything I didn't want to feel.
I'd built this life without him. I was proud of it.
And running into him hadn't changed any of that.
Later,after I'd gotten home and unpacked the groceries and arranged the flowers in a vase on my kitchen table, I stood in my apartment and just... looked around.
At the couch I'd picked out. The artwork on the walls. The running shoes by the door. The textbooks from my NP program still on the shelf because I couldn't quite bring myself to pack them away… they felt like trophies.
And to think that three years ago, I'd been sobbing on a bathroom floor. Destroyed. Broken. Unable to imagine a future that didn't include the man I'd given up everything for.
And now?
Now I had this. My own space. My owncareer. My own life that I'd built brick by brick, choice by choice, run by run, until I'd become someone I was proud to be.
Someone who could run into her ex-husband on the street and feel... nothing.
My phone buzzed on the counter.
Unknown number.
I picked it up, a sliver of me half-expecting it to be David. Some follow-up text. Some attempt to explain or reconnect or…
But it wasn't.
Emma, this is Connor. Jess gave me your number. I know it's been a while, but I'm back in town and I'd love to take you to dinner if you're interested. No pressure. Just thought I'd ask. Hope you're doing well.
I smiled and typed back:
Hi Connor. I'd like that. Saturday work for you?
His response came almost immediately:
Saturday's perfect. I'll text you tomorrow with details. Really glad you said yes.
Me too.
I set my phone down and walked to my bedroom. Changed into pajamas. Washed my face. Brushed my teeth.
Normal things. A normal night.
I climbed into bed and turned off the light. The apartment was quiet, just the hum of the refrigerator and the distant sound of traffic outside.
I closed my eyes and fell asleep in minutes.
