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.

kids. They're nine this year, and we had one more, Kai is our

cheat or lay his hands on you, I think it's okay to

that look, so I'd know it from anywhere. I know you feel no spark with Zayan, too. So why torture yourself? Life is too short babe,

My mouth opens.

Then it closes again.

Then it opens.

He must be with the fathers on

picture him being

Rose's forehead every time he walks past her? The man who brings her tea every morning we've been here and

Their love looks effortless.

was born

But it isn't.

perfect. It has to be forged in fire, in a mess, and

maybe our story deserves

that mean there's

about taking Alex

My heart screams yes.

God, I don't know.

hurts when I think of Zayan because he doesn't

a great friend. But I can't see myself marrying

accept him, I just know it. I'll fight

as the teacher claps her hands together,

cheerfully. "We're ending this trip on a high! Today's final task

splitting you up. Mothers on the left, fathers on the right. Each group will be given one

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

A few mothers gasp.

Rose smiles.

a piece of cake for

teacher adds, turning to the other group, "your task is to prepare a meal for all of us. You will have access to basic ingredients, a campfire setup, and an outdoor grill.”

her seat,

God, they're going to burn us to the

I laugh.

groceries, and he hired someone to go with him because he didn't know what

me,

it, a memory slips

Alex's house. The way he fed me breakfast and

him the waffles were too delicious

him.