004—DINNER
2601 Words
I headed straight to Sadie’s apartment in the morning, determined to go through with one plan that made sense in my head—even though it sounded stupid.
Sadie opened the door with wet hair tied into a bonnet. “Why do I feel like this visit is going to cause a lot of chaos?”
“I need your help,” I said quickly. “Tonight I will need you to convince Stefan to come on a double date with my husband and me.”
Sadie is in shock.
Then her jaw dropped.
“Oh no, oh my God. Jess, you’ve completely lost your damn mind.”
“I know… but hear me out—”
“Can you hear yourself?” she demanded, pacing already. “You want me to drag the man who almost ruined your life to dinner… to prove you’re over him? What is going on with you?”
“Sadie, I have to prove to Conrad that I’m over him. He thinks I’m still in love with Stefan.”
“Are you over him, though?” She raised her brows.
I exhaled, feeling my voice tremble.
“Please. Just talk to Stefan for me. Please, Sadie. I need this.”
She groaned loudly. “Fine, I’ll talk to him,” she said, pointing a finger in my face. “But don’t you dare forget what he did to you. He doesn’t deserve you, let alone sit across from you.”
“I know,” I whispered.
“Are you sure you know?” She gave me a judgmental look.
I nodded,
even though deep down… I wasn’t sure.
———
HOME
Mary, our nanny, opened the door with her usual gentle smile.
“Welcome, ma’am.”
Before I could take off my shoes, David ran into my arms, hugging my waist tightly.
“Mommy, where did you go?”
“Out and about, baby. How are you?” I knelt, brushing hair from his forehead.
“Mommy, I don’t want to go to school tomorrow.”
“Why, my love?”
He looked down at his hands. “I don’t have any friends. They don’t like me.”
The words hurt me more than I expected. I cupped his cheeks gently.
“Hey, look at me. You’re the sweetest boy. Whoever doesn’t like you—guess what? It’s their problem. You’re amazing, and it takes time to meet the right friends. You still have time for that. Okay?”
“Okay, mommy.”
“Go finish your homework, okay?”
His eyes lit up instantly.
“That’s my boy,” I said, kissing his cheek.
Upstairs, I opened my laptop. I needed to release the thoughts in my mind. My fingers over the keyboard as I began typing:
Suddenly I’m the person forgetting the series of pain and heartbreaks Stefan caused me. I told him I was pregnant, and instead of asking what the next step was, he asked what I was going to do. He was so terrified of becoming his father, who abandoned him, that he became worse—running from a problem we were supposed to face together.
I remember storming out of his room, screaming and crying so hard I could barely breathe. Because he said NO to being a father. He told me to figure it out myself and——
“Jessie!” Conrad’s voice from downstairs.
I shut my laptop instantly and wiped my tears.
When I reached the living room, he stood there, jaw tight.
He looked like he was about to cancel the dinner.
“I still think this dinner is a stupid idea,” he muttered. “But… get ready by 7. Inform them of the time and venue.”
Then he walked away.
THE RESTAURANT
The restaurant was beautiful and cozy, but Stefan and Sadie hadn’t arrived yet.
I tried starting a conversation.
“Babe… David said a few things today, it seems he is having—”
“Jess,” he interrupted sharply. “Stop acting like any of this is normal.”
Before I could respond, his phone buzzed.
He hesitated before answering.
“Hi, Samadora,” he said.
I stiffened.
“Where are you?” Dora asked through the phone. “The meeting is still going on, and everyone wants to see the brains behind this brilliant idea. Can you come to the city?”
Conrad rubbed his forehead. “I’m out with my wife right now. But… I’ll be there pretty much late.”
He hung up.
“You’re going to the city today? Tonight?” I asked quietly.
Before he responded, he looked over my shoulder.
“They’re here.”
Sadie and Stefan were walking towards us. Sadie offered an awkward smile. Stefan’s confidence radiated.
We exchanged greetings and sat.
——
THE CONVERSATION
Sadie jumped in first. “So… uhm, Stefan and I met in Georgia. And one thing led to another, here we are—”
Conrad smirked. “How is this even okay? Dating your best friend’s past lover?”
I swallowed. “I’m okay with it. As long as they love each other, babe.”
Stefan leaned back. “So, Conrad… what do you do for a living?”
“Yeah, I’m doing really well in banking. It’s been from deal to deal. And you’re still running your hotel and your band?” Conrad responded, tone clipped.
“Yup,” Stefan said, then turned to me. “Jess, how’s it been going for you being a doctor? Finally cracked it, yeah?”
I felt my stomach drop.
“Uhm… no.”
Stefan frowned. “Why?”
“I got pregnant. Marriage… life… everything had to be on pause.”
“Oh.” His eyes softened with disbelief. “So you’re a full-time wife now? Really?”
“What’s wrong with that? Jessie is an amazing mom to my kid. We do just fine,” Conrad snapped.
“Stefan—” Sadie warned sharply. She proceeded to call the waiter for their drinks.
He ignored her.
“I’m just trying to understand… understand the new Jessica. The Jess Jess I know wanted to save lives so bad.”
“Well, I guess things change,” I said firmly. “And I’m happy with the life I have with my husband.”
Stefan leaned forward. “I remember our vacation in New York City. The beach. Swimming at midnight. Our intimate moments. The way you talked about wanting a future outside the house… outside of just being a mom. Sorry if I’m a little shocked. As long as you’re happy. You’re happy… right?”
My chair scraped loudly as I stood.
“I’ll be right back,” I muttered, storming toward the restroom.
“What is your problem? I know just the type of man you are. The type of man ladies screw in their 20s. Never something serious,” Conrad said aggressively.
Stefan stood and headed to the restroom, ignoring Conrad’s words.
RESTROOM
I splashed water on my face, holding the sink tightly.
The door opened.
Stefan stepped inside.
“B…” he said softly. “If you’re happy, I won’t be bothering you. I know you so well, and it’s obvious you’re not.”
“I’m happy. I’m married, Stefan. I’m happy. Just leave me alone.”
He took a slow step forward.
“I miss you a lot. I want to fix things. I want to fix this. I want back what we had.”
“That was fucking seven years ago,” I whispered. “And you destroyed it.”
Before he could reply, the door opened.
Conrad.
His eyes were burning and teary.
“I told you to stay the f**k away from my wife.”
He stormed at Stefan.
Then he pointed at me. “And why are you here talking to him?”
“I didn’t—Conrad, he came to me,” I tried.
“All I ever did was love you. I still love you, even though you wrote about him right in your diary—how much you crave the sexual moments. What did I ever do to you… to deserve this?”
“Conrad, please,” my voice shaky.
His phone rang again.
Samadora.
He answered immediately.
“I’m on my way,” he said, then stormed out.
Sadie entered seconds later, furious.
“So this is it! You refuse to learn! After everything, it’s still Stefan over Conrad,” she hissed. “You know what? Do whatever you want. But I won’t be a part of it as far as it involves hurting Conrad.”
And she walked out.
——-
CONRAD
The meeting ended successfully. Conrad and Dora walked out of the restaurant in the city together, discussing other details. When they reached their parking lot, their steps slowed.
“You did great today. What’s not to love about you?” Dora said softly.
Conrad looked at her.
Too long.
Too close.
He didn’t step back.
Neither did she.
And for a moment…
Their faces slowly drew toward each other—
- Writer
