#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

me, and a

a surge of hope blossoming within. “It’ll be special. Just like

Abby. Tomorrow night,

some shared memories, planning a little for the

has been

point, the moment where Adam and I rekindle

schedules. A chance to forget all about Karl and

he’s brought back

I lay down for the night, one last thought drifts

Just show up, and everything

boutique’s window, my eyes darting

would leave Adam speechless.

greeted by a rush of perfume and the gentle hum of

of the

its shimmering fabric

at herself in the

a stark contrast to

stunning,” I say genuinely. “But I need something

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

past rows of soft silks and delicate laces,

a deep blue dress, its fabric gleaming like the night

this,” she

hesitate, but she shoves it into my hands and

skin, and when I step out to

know what hit him,”

smile. “Thanks, Chloe. I really want

we need to remind our partners why they fell

by the talented

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

grocery store, I’m ready to prepare for my

of fresh ingredients fills the

and a bottle

slice the vegetables, Chloe pops her head in. “Need any

Last time you tried to cook, we almost had to call

freckles dancing with her smile. “Worth a shot! Just

everything looks amazing.”

her into a quick hug. “Thanks for

casts a warm orange glow over the dining room as I light the candles.

white lace tablecloth, the silverware gleaming in the soft light. The ambiance

—romantic and intimate.

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