When I get home, I take a long shower and change into a flowery summer dress. My hair is wet and my face make-up free. I don't know how long I stare at myself in the mirror, lost in thought, so I startle when I hear my phone beeping.

GREG: I miss you.

What the hell? I stare at my phone.

He misses me? He fucking misses me? I control the urge to call him and- and what? It's over! He doesn't get to call me, to text me, to say he misses me.

It's not fair! Why is he doing it to me now? I erase his text and head to the kitchen. I wanted to try a new recipe, but now I just want to hide in my bed and forget about him.

I'm considering canceling on Lucas when I hear a knock on the door.

"Hey," I say as I open the door.

"Are you okay?" Lucas frowns. He is wearing a navy blue suit and my mind goes blank for a second.

Nope! People shouldn't be allowed to look so good.

"Uh." I try but damn he is just too handsome.

"You're staring." He smirks.

"I think you got something on your chin."

"And I think you like me in a suit."

"Nah...".

"You're impossible." He pulls me into a hug, one I hadn't realized how much I needed until now.

"Hey." He holds my face, looking into my eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing! I'm okay." I smile, pulling away from his hold.

"Alexia."

"I'm fine, really, just a little tired. I was going to text you to see what you guys are in the mood for," I lie, not sure if I should bring Greg up again.

"I had a late meeting today and couldn't pick up Nate at school. He is at my sister's and asked if he could sleep there."

"Oh. That's okay. Maybe we could all do something together on the weekend, then?"

"That would be perfect." He smiles, his eyes searching mine. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Can you come in for a second?" I ask.

"Of course." He kisses my cheek, holding my hand as he guides me to the sofa.

"Greg called me today." I go with the truth because I hate the feeling that I'm lying.

"Oh?" His eyes widen for a second.

"He wanted- I have no idea what he wanted, but I- I was... he wants me to be happy," I say and I don't know why I'm so nervous, but when he doesn't say anything, I regret telling him about the call.

"Say something," I whisper.

"I don't know what you want me to say." He rubs his neck, and it is definitely not a good sign.

"I was just shocked, I guess. I was really not expecting him to get in touch," I say.

"Well, he called. He wants you to be happy. Now what?"

"Nothing changed. He broke up with me. It's over."

"Is it really over for you?"

"Yes! Of course!" I say, and he just looks at me for a moment.

"If you..." He clears his throat. "Are you happy here?"

"I'm..." I sigh. "I'm just starting over. I thought things would be different in my life now. I'm still adjusting, I guess. I always tied my happiness to his. I think I don't really know how to be happy by myself." I try to explain. "I thought I was happy before, that things were good, but look at how things went."

"I see." He gives me a small smile and I see something changed in his eyes. He is not really looking at me and he looks... sad?

"I'm happy I met you, you know? Have I told you that?" I touch my hand to his cheek.

"Me too." He kisses my hand before standing up. "Do you mind if I take a shower before we eat?"

"No, that's fine. I was going to try a new recipe today. Spaghetti Carbonara. I hope you like it?" I stand up too.

"That's perfect! Can you text me when it's ready?" He opens the door to leave and I wish I could start our night over.

"Sure." I stop in front of him and brush my lips to his.

"I'll text you soon, okay?" I murmur, my lips pressed to his.

"Okay." He rubs his nose to mine before leaving.

*****

I've just finished the spaghetti and I'm really surprised it turned out good. It looks like those Facebook videos I keep watching are paying off. I don't have any fancy dishes and this was not supposed to be a romantic evening, but I hate the way Lucas left here earlier, so I put a little effort into making a nice dinner for him.

I don't know how to define ourselves, and I'm not in a hurry to find out. For now, I just know that I like him. He makes me feel good, cared for. He makes me smile. For once, I don't want to over-analyze it to death. Maybe I'm going too fast, maybe not. Only time will tell.

Lisa is right when she says I want to control every tiny detail about my life, so maybe this is the time for me to enjoy each day at a time and not to worry so much about the future. I have a good job, a nice home, I have... Lucas.

After I get a bottle of red wine and see everything is ready, I send him a text

ME: Food is ready :)

LUCAS: Will be there in a minute.

Just a few minutes later, I hear a knock on the door.

"Hey, come in." I smile. He's changed into a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, and I love how good he smells. It's so good, I... okay, focus.

"I brought chocolate ice-cream." He closes the door and gives me a friendly kiss on the cheek.

"Perfect! Have a seat. I'll get the food."

"Smell goods in here." I hear him say.

"I hope you enjoy it," I murmur a minute later while serving us both a plate.

He pours us some wine and after we're both sitting; he dives into the food. "Hmm, It's delicious, Alexia."

"For real?"

"Really! It's very good! I assume you don't cook much?"

"My mom loves baking, but she is not into cooking meals, so she never taught me much. We kind of survived on take-outs. During college, I ate my fair share of fast food, so..." I take a sip of my wine.

"What about you? Can you cook anything besides breakfast?" I tease.

"I cook every day for Nate and he doesn't really complain about it, so..." He smiles.

"You are a great dad, you know?" I grin because I love how his eyes shine every time he talks about his son. "Is he enjoying school so far?"

"Yeah, he loves his new teacher and has already made some new friends."

"You said your family is very present in his life, but what about Monica's parents? Have they ever tried to get involved in his life?"

"It's very hard with them, you know? They blame me for the accident... and I totally get them, but... they said I was not able to take care of my son when Nate is my life. It's difficult for me to trust them completely and I guess they feel the same way towards me... He's the last connection to their daughter."

"You're saying they wanted to raise Nate after all they did? But you're his father."

"Yeah, I tried to let him stay with them at least one night a week, but they kept arguing they should be the ones raising him. And after losing their daughter..." He shakes his head and swallows hard. "One morning, I stopped by to get him and they weren't at home. I tried to phone them all day, and by night my parents finally convinced me to call the police. Itwas a mess. They took him on a trip and apparently forgot to tell me. I mean, that day was a blur. I was so scared to lose him. They still can see him, as long as I can be present. But they haven't really wanted to see things my way. They get in touch with him from time to time, but this is it." He takes a long gulp of his wine.

"I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how desperate you were." I squeeze one of his hands and he nods, kissing the inside of my wrist.

"Thank you. I love talking about Nate, but that's a memory I'd rather forget."

"You're right. How was work today? You said you had a late meeting?"

"Yeah, just some problems with some legal stuff. I'm forever thankful my family can help me with Nate, though. I don't know what I'd do without them. What about you? How was your day?"

"It was good. One of the other teachers, Sophie, invited me to hang out at her house with her and her friends on Saturday. Nothing fancy, but I'm excited to go. I don't know anyone but you here so I guess it'll be good to meet some people, make other friends." I smile and see a hint of something passing through his eyes.

"Oh, that is great! You should definitely make some other friends." He looks down, stuffing his mouth with food.

"Hey..." I grin. "Are you- are you jealous?"

"What? Of course not." He pours us some more wine and I see he is actually blushing.

"Oh my God! You are!" I laugh.

"I don't know what you are talking about," he murmurs.

"Aw, aren't you cute?" I stand up and try to pinch his cheeks, but he uses one of his hands to hold my arms and places them behind my back.

I try to move, but he holds me between his legs and uses his other hand to tickle me. "No!" I laugh. "Please!" I scream, my belly cramping from laughing so hard.

"Aw, aren't you cute?" he teases me, but I'm too busy laughing my heart out.

"Come on!" I shout.

"Say uncle." He laughs, clearly enjoying himself.

"Uncle! Uncle!" I shout and he stops.

I'm breathing hard and about to tickle him back when the look on his face stops me. He releases my arms but keeps a firm hold on my waist.

"Come here," he whispers, pulling me to him.

I press my hands to his shoulders, and his eyes dart to my mouth. I don't know what comes over me, but the look in his eyes is so mesmerizing that I climb onto his lap, straddling him.

He leans forward, squeezing me tightly, and soon there is no space left between us. His mouth is on my neck, trailing soft kisses until he finds my mouth. I love how he kisses me ever so tenderly and I can't feel anything but him.

"Alexia, I-" he starts, but we both startle when we hear the bell.

We look at each other in the eye as if coming out of a fog. "You should get that." He kisses me.

"Yeah, I'll..." I get out of his lap and head to the door.

I look through the peephole and when I see just a bunch of flowers; I look at him and grin. He looks at me confused, but I hurry to open the door.

"Greg?!" I gasp.

_____

A/N: I know, right!!!!

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Celeste