"Slow down before you get a ticket girl!"

Paula joked as she watched me devour my shrimp pasta. I laughed at her response; eating was now my favorite thing to do.

"Don't judge me," I said as I rolled my eyes, stuffing my face with more noodles.

"We miss you at work, the ER has been crazy!"

She took a big gulp of her cocktail. I could use some alcohol right now. It would help me deal with my life a lot better than I am currently.

"I bet it has! I never thought I'd miss going to work," I laughed, "have you found a man yet?"

She almost choked from laughing. I watched her intensely. Her gold dangling earrings slapping her on the cheeks as she shook her head from side to side. It was as if she was trying to suppress the laughter escaping from her throat, but she had no control. For a second, I wished I could be her. Drama and stress free.

"You know I can't find anyone...I've even tried to throw myself at Fred again!" she said between chuckles.

Just the sound of his name made my muscles stiffen. Not realizing that Paula was waiting for me to react, I forced a smile.

"Oh really? How did that go?" I asked. The curiosity was killing me.

"How do you think? He straight up turned me down!"

I wanted to smile. Wanted to feel like he turned her down because of me. Like his loyalty would always belong to me.

"Something is different about him though, he seems to be really happy," she said.

Happy? Fred? Without me?

"Happy? How?"

I couldn't contain myself any longer.

"He's always smiling when I see him, humming songs, it's like, how a man is when he's in love with a woman. Like he sees no one else, and you know I'm great to look at."

In the past I would stroke her ego and laugh, but I found nothing funny with her insinuating that Fred was happier without me being in his life. It just didn't make sense to me.

I felt myself getting defensive, "that's how he's always been Paula".

"I guess you're right."

Our waitress returned to pick up our empty plates.

"Can we have the check please?" I asked, no longer in the mood to make small talk with anyone.

At this point I was ready to go. I had to talk to Fred. And I could care less if he was engaged!

"Are you feeling ok? I thought you wanted to try the strawberry cheesecake?" Paula asked, reaching for the desert menu.

Why did she have to remember everything? I wanted to try it before I lost my fucking appetite. I could care less about cheesecake at this point! 

"Actually, I have heartburn," I grabbed a fist-full of my blouse, "I should go home and take something. I'm sorry girl."

She reached out for my arm from across the table, "no worries! I understand completely, just make sure you're feeling better for the baby shower I'm hosting for work."

"Paula!"

"I won't take no for an answer. Now you go home, I've got the check," she said as she shooed me away.

I gave her a hug and grabbed my purse, swiftly walking towards the exit. Paula knew I despised most of the people I worked with, but she had good intentions; so I owed it to her to go along with her plans. At this point, it was the last thing on my mind.

As I scanned the parking lot for my car, I pulled my cellphone out dialing Fred's number. 

The number you have reached is not a working number...

What the fuck? Did Fred change his number? I sent a quick text that was never delivered. Was he avoiding me? There was only one way to find out.

I rushed to my car and sped to Fred's place. He could run from me, but he can't hide.