February 3, 2019

     "Oh, Malona! It's been awhile, how have you been?" Mrs. Slater greeted me with a tight hug and a kiss on my cheek. As soon as she opened the front door of her house, my uneasiness was wiped away.

"Mrs. Slater! It's so good to see you! I've been good, most of my free time is taken up by homework and studying which can get annoying sometimes."

Laughing lightly, I pull my jacket sleeves further down to cover my hands in the bitter weather.

"Yeah, that's how Noah's been spending his time lately. Oh, you must be freezing, come on in sweetie." She opens the front door further with an easy smile.

With a hesitant step, I cross the threshold into the all too familiar home. Their fire place on the furthest wall was lit up and classical music was playing softly in the background making their home feel even more welcome and cozy.

"I'm assuming that's who you came here to see? He's not h-"

"No, no," I quickly cut her off as politely as I could. "I actually came to hang out with Abby for a little bit. I-if that's okay."

Confusion swept across her face for a split second before she beamed. "Oh, I bet she's thrilled to see you! She's just went out to run a quick errand with Mike. They'll be back in a few minutes, I'm sure." Her light voice made me realize just how much I've missed this family.

Nodding, I take a few more steps in as Mrs. Slater shuts the front door tightly. "You know, it's such a coincidence, you showing up at this moment. I was just about to pull out my famous Valentine cookies out of the oven!"

She started to make her way into the kitchen, gesturing for me to follow. I trialed behind, my eyes lighting up with recognition as we entered the kitchen and the sweet smell of raspberries wafted through the air.

"Oh, you don't mean..." I trailed off slowly as she pulled out a sheet of cookies from the oven. Drool was beginning to form at the corners of my lips.

Mrs. Slater's Raspberry Linzer cookies with almonds were the key to my heart if I'm being honest. A devious smile was set on her lips as she set the baking pan smack dab in front of me.

"You're favorite!" She chirped happily.

Clearing my throat I smile broadly. "Mrs-"

"How many times am I going to have to remind you to call me Christine, Malona." She rolled her eyes playfully.

I suppressed my laughter with a tight smile. "Christine, you're Raspberry-Almond cookies have got to be the best things in the world," I state matter-of-factly.

Christine tossed a kitchen towel over her left shoulder before placing a manicured hand on her hip. "Lona, I can't take all the credit. If I recall, you're the one who helped me come up with the idea of raspberry and almond cookies, remember?"

Pulling out an island stool from in front of me, I set my purse on the counter and take a seat. "Oh, I remember. But honestly, most of the credit goes to you. I just suggested adding almonds." I tore my eyes from the cookies and looked at Christine with a raised eyebrow.

She patted my hand lightly before turning towards the sink, most likely to finish washing the rest of the dirty dishes. "Oh, don't underestimate yourself, hon you get just as much credit as I do."

I keep my mouth shut as I watch her finish washing a plastic bowl which I assume she used for the cookie batter.

"So," Christine started off slowly, turning the faucet off before she turned around to face me. Placing both hands on either side of the counter behind her, she bites her lip lightly before heaving a sigh.

"I know, it's been awhile, and it's probably too late for me to ask now, but I-I'm just curious. Why is it you haven't been around at all?" I knew exactly what she was hinting at and my heart dropped.

She must have noticed the shock on my face because she forced a smile on her nude painted lips and shook her head. "I'm sorry-that was very inappropriate of me to ask, it's been so long and it's not really any of my-"

The way her eyes darted all around the kitchen, looking anywhere but at me made me feel like I owed her some kind of information.

After the breakup, I don't think my name was brought up in their household for months. It wasn't until five months post-breakup that Abby reached out to me. By then, the only acknowledgment Noah and I shared were quick glares. Granted, that was around the time Joyce began to cling onto him like her life depended on it.

"It's alright Christine, I know that you were left in the dark when it happened. I'm sorry about that." I made sure to look as nonchalant as I could when the words left my mouth.

She exhaled lowly, eyeing me carefully.

"I'm not sure what Noah and Abby told you, but everything happened all at once, and it was a lot, you know?"

I kept quiet for a few seconds while I gathered my barrings and allowed myself to re-experience the day Noah and I's feelings for one another unfolded into what could only be explained as a disaster.

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I hope you enjoyed! The next chapter will be a jump into the past. Be ready y'all!

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