#Chapter 36: A Hopeful Effort
Abby

My fingers tap anxiously against the table as I dial Adam’s number. After a few rings, his voice, smooth

and deep, answers. “Hello?”

“Adam,” I start, trying to steady my voice, “It’s me.”

There’s a slight pause on the other end. “Hey, Abbs. What’s up?”

I take a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking ever since what happened the other night… we’ve been so

caught up lately with everything, and I thought maybe we could have a candlelit dinner tomorrow night.

Just the two of us. No distractions.”

Another pause. Then, a soft chuckle comes through. “Sounds… unexpected. But I’m in. Why not?”

The relief is immediate, but I need more assurance. Adam has been late or flaked on me way too many

times for me to take his initial word for it. “You promise you’ll be there? Eight o’clock?”

There’s a sigh from the other end. “Abby, you know I’m always busy, but if you want this, then yes, I

promise. I’ll be there.”

“But Adam,” I say, my voice quivering slightly, “I need you to really promise. Swear on it.”

“Okay, okay,” he laughs, the tone light, “I swear on it. I’ll be there.”

I can’t shake off a nagging feeling. “I just… I need this, Adam. I need to feel that connection again, that

it’s just you and me. No distractions. And I need you to be on time. It’s going to hurt me a lot if you’re

late or if you flake out on me.”

There’s a few moments of silence. Then, in a tender tone, he says, “Abby, I know we’ve had our ups

and downs, and I know I’ve been…preoccupied lately. But I promise I’ll be there tomorrow. I wouldn’t

miss it for the world.”

His words soothe the unease in my heart, at least for the moment. “Thank you, Adam,” I reply. “I just

want us to have a night where it’s all about us.”

He chuckles again. “It’s been a while since we had one of those, hasn’t it? I’m looking forward to it. Just

and a

blossoming within. “It’ll be special. Just like

those times, Abby. Tomorrow night, it’ll be just like that. I

about some shared memories, planning a little for the dinner. And

has

where

layers of misunderstandings and busy schedules. A chance to forget all

he’s brought back

down for the night, one last thought drifts through my mind: Adam just has to show up

Just show up, and

stand in front of the boutique’s window, my eyes darting

Adam speechless. Pushing the door open, the bell

rush of perfume and

here!” Chloe waves from one of the

fabric hugging her

think?” she twirls, looking at herself in the full-length mirror. Her

a stark contrast to the

“But I need

her green eyes twi kling with mischief. “Say no more.” And with that, she

silks and delicate laces, until she halts before

dress, its fabric gleaming like

Try this,” she

and

against my skin, and when I step out to show

won’t know what hit him,”

Chloe. I really want

to remind our partners

the afternoon, my hair has been transformed by the talented hands at the local

my shoulders, framing my face perfectly. My nails are painted a subtle shade of blue to

to the grocery store, I’m ready to prepare for my dinner date with

of fresh ingredients fills the air. I’ve splurged

cut of beef, organic vegetables, and a bottle of the best wine I

Chloe pops her head

chuckle. “You? In the kitchen? Last time you tried to cook, we almost had to call the fire

with her smile. “Worth

everything looks amazing.”

into a quick hug. “Thanks for being here today,

sun casts a warm orange glow over the dining

tablecloth, the silverware gleaming in the soft light.

—romantic and intimate.

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