#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 candlelit dinner. Sounds

heart flutters, a surge of hope blossoming within. “It’ll be special. Just like old

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

about some shared memories, planning a little

up, a weight has been

where Adam and I rekindle the

and busy schedules. A chance to

he’s brought back into

one last thought drifts through my mind: Adam just has to show

show up, and everything

my eyes darting over the various dresses displayed.

leave Adam

of perfume and the gentle hum of

here!” Chloe waves from one of the dressing rooms. She’s already trying on a svelte

shimmering fabric hugging her

looking at herself in the full-length mirror. Her auburn

contrast

“But I need something to… reignite a

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

store, past rows of soft silks and delicate laces, until she halts before

dress, its fabric gleaming

this,” she

my hands and pushes

and when I step out to

what hit him,”

a grateful smile. “Thanks, Chloe. I really want tonight to be

remind our partners why they fell for us

transformed by the talented hands at the local salon.

my shoulders, framing my face perfectly. My nails are painted a

after a run to the grocery store, I’m

scent of fresh ingredients fills the air. I’ve splurged

vegetables, and a bottle

Chloe pops her head in. “Need

kitchen? Last time you tried to cook, we almost had to call the

her smile. “Worth a

everything looks amazing.”

into a quick hug.

orange glow over the dining room as I light the candles. The

in a white lace tablecloth, the silverware gleaming in

—romantic and intimate.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255