Construction on the new office building was days away. Despite the plans being finalized, I wasn't off the hook yet. I was to be involved with the building process and, of course, Percy's company had a few tweaks to the final plan, which left me working harder than ever to remain on schedule.

I sighed as I peered up at a small, rented office building I knew to be Percy's company's current office space. I gripped onto the binder I was holding even tighter as I made my way inside.

The company was currently renting out one floor of the tiny building, so I made my way into the elevator and onto their floor, hoping my chance of running into Percy was low.

When the elevator door opened I peered around. The office space wasn't unlike mine, just smaller. I quickly located the secretary and placed the binder down on his desk.

"Hey, Annabeth Chase here to drop off final plan revisions," I told the secretary as fast as possible.

The man smiled at me before he started to type something on his computer. "Alright, yes, I see that here in my notes. I'll make sure this gets to her, Ms. Chase."

"Great, thank you," I said as I turned around and hastily tried to rush back to the elevators before spotting anyone familiar.

"Oh, wait!" the secretary called as I neared the door. I sighed and stopped in my tracks. "Could you please sign the visitor's sheet?"

I gritted my teeth and nodded. I made my way back towards the secretary's desk and began to sign my name and the date on some sheet of paper as quickly as possible.

"Why do I need to sign in? I was just here for a few minutes," I murmured begrudgingly.

"I know. They suck, right?" said a familiar voice to my left. I whipped around to see no one other than Percy Jackson, a grin plastered on his face. "He had me sign in, too, and I work here!"

I laughed uncomfortably. "Well, I better be off now. Just make sure the final plans get in the rights hands and let me know if anymore revisions are needed."

The secretary nodded before snatching the visitor's sheet away. I turned around and rushed out, Percy still on my trail.

"Could I take you out to coffee?" he asked me as I entered the elevator, Percy still behind me. "I know things have been weird, but—"

"Sure," I interrupted, although I was unsure of why I had agreed. "Make it quick, though. I'd really like to get home soon."

Percy nodded. The elevator opened its door and we both walked out onto the street. "Right, uh, is this place good?"

He ushered to a Starbucks right next to his place of work and I nodded. "Convenient, huh?"

I couldn't help but smile as he led me inside and got us a table. I watched as he went up to order for both of us.

He returned several minutes later holding two cups of coffee, one of them my favorite order down to the details.

"How did you know?" I asked as I took a sip of the coffee.

Percy shrugged as he sat back down. "I'm observant, I guess. Remember when I used to take you to Starbucks every final back in high school?"

"Oh my god, yeah," I replied with a hesitant laugh. "You'd force me to stop studying."

Percy nodded wistfully. "Yeah, well. Anyways...how is Alice doing?"

Of course. Here it was. The topic was unavoidable, really, but I was still reluctant to bring her up.

"She's good," I replied truthfully.

"I meant to call, really," Percy told me. "Does she, does she know yet?"

He didn't need to elaborate since I knew precisely what he was referencing. I sighed. "No."

Percy nodded and tapped his fingers on the table nervously. I could tell we were feeling the same emotions.

Then he sighed. "Look, I'm sorry."

"You're....what?" I asked, clearly dumbfounded. "Why...why are you apologizing to me?"

"For how I've acted over the past few weeks," he admitted as he rubbed his temple. "I'm sorry, I just got all freaked out. I suppose I was just overwhelmed. I should've gone into work, I should've talked with you. I should've stopped by and seen Alice."

"No, I should've told you about her right away," I replied. "I was selfish and scared, but there's no excuse."

I could tell he was deep in thought by the way he furrowed his eyebrows. That was the same face he used to make when we would study together. "You should've. Why...why didn't you tell me again?"

I gulped nervously. "I...I suppose I was just scared of how you would react. Helen laid into me pretty bad when I told her, so I thought you'd act the same."

That day still haunts me. The way Helen had yelled at me and laid into me. The way she'd told me that I'd thrown away my future, how she wasn't going to be financially responsible for me and Alice. It was a living hell.

"I wouldn't have, though," Percy told me, reaching for my hand. "You know that, right? I was heartbroken when we broke up. If you would've told me...we'd probably still be together."

I laughed sarcastically but didn't release Percy's hand. "Oh, don't say that."

"It's true!" Percy interjected. "I would've proposed to you when you told me. We would've gotten married, maybe even have another kid by now..."

"We would probably live in New York," I added, my throat tightening. "Alice would know her dad and her other family...."

My heart raced as I imagined this other version of myself. One who was happier than I am now. One who had Percy and a life I've always wanted.

But that wasn't real.

"We can't change the past," I said firmly as I released Percy's hand. "No matter how much I want to. And you....you're seeing someone."

My face tilted down and I focused on the floor, ashamed of how I'd acted while in the knowledge that Percy had a girlfriend, the beautiful redhead.

"What?"

I looked up at Percy once again. His eyebrows were furrowed and he looked genuinely confused. "You're seeing someone."

"What...what are you talking about?" he asked.

I blinked. "I...this might sound weird, but that night we went bowling I watched you go up to your place and you....you kissed some redhead."

Percy closed his eyes before planting his face in his hands. "Annabeth, no...."

"Don't lie to me," I whispered. "I don't....I don't c-care. You've m-move on, that's alright..."

Percy then lifted his face and started laughing, which thoroughly confused me even more. "Annabeth, oh my god, how can I even explain this? I....yes, I was casually seeing someone. I met her when I moved to California, but...that very night I broke things off with her."

My eyes widened. "Wha—why?!"

"You, of course," he replied, his eyes twinkling. "That night I felt happier than I had in a long time, and I knew I had to get you back."

I tried to speak but nothing came out. Staring at Percy in that moment I felt truly dumbstruck.

"Anyways, I've gotta get going," Percy told me as he glanced at his watch. "Sorry about...everything."

I shrugged. "It's...it's my fault, too. God, why is everything so awkward?"

Percy laughed as he stood up. "Are you...are you gonna tell Alice?"

"Oh, yeah," I replied. He grinned. "I'll text you when I've told her so you can see her again. I'm sure she'll be more than thrilled."

"Alright, well....bye," Percy said with a smile. Then he unexpectedly pulled me into a hug.

His arms were tight and warm. I could smell the sea when I hugged him, and it reminded me of when we were in high school.

As we pulled apart I felt my face grow red. "I'll see you around..."

He waved. "See you around."

And somehow, I knew that with time we would be okay.