Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Three weeks later...

ATHENA

"Girl. Spill it!" Isabelle turns to face me like I'm holding onto the juiciest gossip this week. "You're killing me here." She adds.

I bring my coffee to my lips, needing something to distract me.

Instead of relief and joy, I feel sad.

Maybe it's PMS week.

Isabelle slides onto the bench beside me, probably now tired of standing. Her

brows arch with that all-too-familiar look of curiosity and concern.

I let out a breath. "I said yes."

She blinks. "Yes...?"

"To Zayan."

Her eyes widen. "As in yes-yes? Like proposal, yes?"

"Girlfriend yes." I correct.

"Are you serious?"

I nod once, staring into the steam of my cup like it might offer me answers I don't have.

"But why do you look like someone killed your cat?"

"I'm just tired."

"Liar... anyway, so, Alex? Does he know?" she asks carefully.

I laugh bitterly. “He lost his mind. I'm not shocked he knew where I was when he showed up at the restaurant, acted like a lunatic. Called me his wife and nearly ripped Zayan's head off in front of everyone."

Isabelle snorts. "Classic. That man's ego is the size of the entire fucking universe. He probably just hates the idea that someone else gets you now."

I want to agree. I do agree. But it doesn't silence the ache in my chest.

"I mean," she continues, "Zayan is a good guy. Kind. Reliable. And definitely not

going to give you emotional whiplash every two minutes."

"I know," I whisper. "He is."

But even as I say the words, they fall flat.

Zayan is good. He shows up. He listens. He doesn't complicate things.

So why does it feel like something's missing?

my heart race when he

me even when

later," I

closely. "Have you felt no spark yet?" I shake my

three dates and three kisses. It

"Zayan's advocate

a swearing. "The

roses are overrated," I

is emotional

on my coffee. "Wow. Okay. Personal attack

holding up a finger, "Zayan makes sense. You don't have to decode him

"With Alex, everything is.... How do

the eye contact. The way he looks at you. Although I must admit, most times I get so curious I

don't remind me,"

you like that burning

"I do not!"

"You do."

"I don't!"

strong hunch you're looking for Alex in Zayan. But that's understandable, you've loved the man for five years. That just doesn't go away. But I think you deserve to be happy and if Zayan can give you that, you Should give

"You think so?"

"Yep."

for someone who doesn't commit to

play babe." She winks in addition making me

phone vibrates and the

summoned him." I show the screen to Isabelle who smiles in

"Fate and shit huh?

as I swipe

"Hello?"

hospital but I can't

My cheeks heat.

Isabelle was right.

do need to give

on the rooftop. Why, do you miss me?"

I could die." He

enter into a relationship with a play boy? That

of a fiction book."

from my heart. My eyes

whispers as she waves and walks

blow her a kiss

the table. "You really out here trying to melt me

mozzarella, huh?"

His voice drops

I admit, biting back

a brief pause on the

time do you get

Are you planning a rooftop

scare you a little less

laugh. "I appreciate