Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

Three days later....

"Today is our last day, and we must make the best of it!" The teacher announces just as Rose pulls a chair to sit next to me.

I barely look up. My mind is still spinning, replaying that night like a broken record on loop.

The kiss.

God.

That kiss.

It had knocked the air out of my lungs and left a dull ache in my chest. I couldn't shake off. Like a burn that wouldn't stop tingling.

I hadn't talked to Alex since. Not properly, anyway. I mean, we share a room, so speaking is inevitable.

We'd shared a few stolen glances, a tension-filled breakfast where I refused to look at him, and one accidental brush of hands that sent my entire nervous system into panic mode.

Rose leans toward me, snapping her gum loudly. "You look like you haven't slept in three days."

"I haven't," I mumble, flipping my pen in my hand.

"Why? You miss Zayan?" She asks.

I pause, turning to look at the growing smile on her face.

Yeah, I... I do."

I'm lying. I don't, but I'm not about to admit who is buried in my mind.

"We're more similar than you think, sweetie." Rose places a warm hand on my back.

"We are?" I laugh.

I don't think so.

"Yep. So I'll help you save time and tell you to just break up with Zayan. He'll be fine. You don't click like you do with Alex. I know that because I, too, was in the same situation.

You see, Ethan did some shady things when we just got married. He didn't cheat. he just hurt me with his actions. Then I divorced him and ran away with my surviving triplets.

two grew into beautiful kids. They're nine this year, and we had

did. But because I can tell he loves you and as long as he didn't cheat or lay his hands on you, I think it's okay to give it another

know you feel no spark with Zayan, too. So why torture yourself?

My mouth opens.

Then it closes again.

Then it opens.

here as we speak. He must be with the

picture him being

forehead every time he walks past her? The man who brings her tea every morning we've been here and carries their sleeping son on his back like it's his

Their love looks effortless.

was

But it isn't.

in fire, in a mess, and all the imperfections for it to

our story deserves

that mean

thinking about

My heart screams yes.

God, I don't know.

when I think of Zayan because he doesn't deserve this. He's

great friend. But I can't see myself marrying

it. I'll fight with his mother, and that will make me even more

just as the teacher claps her hands together, calling everyone's

"We're ending this trip on a

splitting you up. Mothers on the left, fathers on the right. Each group will be given one challenge, and any points earned will go to your child's

chairs. "Ladies," she continues, "you will be building a mini playhouse using only the materials provided outside.

A few mothers gasp.

Rose smiles.

a piece of cake for

to prepare a meal for all of

into her seat, rubbing her

to burn us to the

I laugh.

once sent my husband to get groceries, and he hired someone to go with him because he didn't know what aisle eggs

laugh escapes me,

it, a memory

over at Alex's house. The way he fed me breakfast

told him the waffles were too delicious to

him.