Love Lost to Me

Chapter 3

The hostess greeted me with a warm smile as I stepped into The Magnolia Room, one of the city’s trendiest lunch spots. Elegant without trying too hard, it was filled with marble tabletops, hanging greenery, and the soft hum of conversation. Floor-to-ceiling windows opened onto a shaded patio where fountains trickled quietly in the background. “Ms. Clayton?” the hostess asked. I nodded. “Your guest is already here. Right this way.” She led me through the restaurant and out onto the patio. Carla spotted me immediately. “There she is!” She stood and wrapped me in a hug before I could even reach the table. “It has been entirely too long.” “It really has,” I laughed, hugging her back. “I’m starting to think we have to schedule lunch six months in advance.” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Honestly? Probably.”

We sat down, and for a few minutes, conversation came naturally. She asked how my newest paintings were coming along. I asked about work. She filled me in on mutual friends from college, including one who had apparently gotten married in Las Vegas after only three months of dating. “I give it a year,” Carla said, sipping her sparkling water. “You’re terrible.” “I’m realistic.” I laughed. Some things about Carla had never changed. “So,” she asked, resting her chin in her hand, “how’s Benjamin? Has he finally accepted that the universe may not be giving him a baby?” My smile faltered for the briefest second. My hand instinctively brushed against my stomach beneath the table. The words sat right there on the tip of my tongue. I’m pregnant. Instead… I smiled. “We’re doing fine.” Then I quickly redirected.

“So… enough about me. How have you been? Dating anyone interesting?” Carla laughed loudly. “Please.” She waved her hand dismissively. “I’ll have dinner with someone every now and then, but who has time for an actual relationship?” She leaned back proudly. “Between quarterly board meetings, investor conferences, business trips to New York and San Francisco, mentoring the new executive team, and preparing for a promotion…” She smiled like she’d just listed Olympic accomplishments. “…I’m lucky if I remember to eat lunch.” I chuckled. “So that’s a no?” “Oh, definitely a no.” She shrugged. “Besides, most of the men I meet are either complete snooze fests, serial liars, chronic cheaters…” She paused dramatically. “…or tragically under-equipped.” I nearly spit out my water. “But,” she added with a grin, “I suppose they can’t all be as perfect as Benjamin.” Heat crept into my cheeks. Immediately my mind betrayed me. Years ago, after Ben and I had first slept together, I’d made the mistake of telling Carla- in confidence- just how… pleasantly surprised I’d been. To this day, I regretted it.

I opened my mouth to answer— “Oh my God.” Carla reached across the table. “Andi…” Her eyes were fixed on my necklace. “I almost missed it.” She leaned closer. “That is absolutely stunning.” I looked down, instinctively touching the diamonds resting against my collarbone. “Thank you.” I couldn’t help smiling. “Ben gave it to me this morning for our anniversary.” Her eyebrows lifted. “Anniversary?” She frowned thoughtfully. “I could’ve sworn that wasn’t until August…” A smile tugged at my lips. “Our wedding was.” That was all I said. Our little secret. The courthouse. The forgotten marriage license. Only Ben and I celebrated the real anniversary. Before Carla could ask another question, our waiter appeared.

“Good afternoon, ladies. Have we decided?” Carla smiled. “I’ll have the truffle lobster risotto, but substitute the arborio with the imported Carnaroli rice if the chef has it. Extra shaved black truffle, grilled asparagus instead of broccolini, and I’d like a bottle of Château Margaux 2015.” The waiter nodded without writing anything down. “And for you, ma’am?” “I’ll have the grilled chicken Caesar salad.” “Anything to drink?” “Water with lemon.” He smiled politely. “Excellent choices.” As soon as he walked away, Carla looked at me over the menu. “Watching our figure?” I smiled. “You could say that.” The truth was… I’d been craving a Caesar salad since I’d woken up. A soft vibration interrupted us. I glanced down.

Ben ❤️

I hope you’re having fun, beautiful.

I can’t stop thinking about you today.

Happy anniversary again, baby.

You’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and somehow I get to call you my wife.

I’m the luckiest man on Earth.

I’ll see you at six.

I love you.

My heart melted. Without thinking, I turned the phone toward Carla. She smiled. “Aww… that’s sweet.” But something about it felt… forced. “He’s obsessed with you.” I laughed. “I wouldn’t go that far.” “No?” She raised an eyebrow. “The man sends you love letters before noon.” I grinned. “I like love letters.”

The rest of lunch drifted by. Mostly because Carla made sure it did. Promotion opportunities. Stock options. Luxury hotels. Private airport lounges. Executive retreats in Napa. A networking dinner where she’d sat three seats away from a billionaire. By the time dessert menus arrived, I’d learned far more about Carla’s career than I’d ever intended to know. She’d always been… an acquired taste. But somewhere between college and the corporate world, she’d traded warmth for ambition. Everything felt like a competition now. Even lunch. We hugged goodbye outside the restaurant. “Let’s not wait another six months,” she said. “We won’t.” I watched her climb into her sleek black Mercedes before walking toward my own car. As I settled into the driver’s seat, I found myself smiling. Just a few more hours. Then I’d have dinner with my husband. I started the engine, completely unaware that before the day was over… the life I’d spent years building would begin to disappear.