REJECTED MATE'S STRUGGLE

pte

nce like a rhythm. I wasn't sure I could take another shock after all that had transpired betwe

immediately I saw the na

almost wed until Lucas entered our lives. We had not communicated for years, not si

e scared of what I could discover. However, my insatiab

conversation to ha

ming seemed almost too perfect as if destiny was attempting to surprise me wi

er. A part of me wanted to brush it off, wipe the message, and act as if I didn'

perhaps, meeting David might help me recognize the disaster my li

e before giving it too much thought. I'm free in the afternoon of

g trouble keeping my marriage together, and now I was letting myself into the past, which ma

was being pushed in a thousand different d

location, far different from the typical hangouts for Lucas and myself. I had specifically picked it out of

had promised to meet me here at precisely three, he had not yet shown. I questi

y identifiable as he approached me. He seemed almost exactly as I had recalled, but maybe a little

nd we were once again together. The unpleasant feeling of meeting someone who had meant so much to

soothing voice that was just as I

ttitude by forcing a grin. "Likewis

xt. We paused, uncertain of how to behave around one other, as a r

avid said, pointing to t

ded. Once inside, we found a peace

or the kind of discussion I wa

a coffee, but I decided to have a plain cup of tea. The more we waited for ou

d in a hushed tone. "Although I wasn't sure whether y

g for clues in his expr

y found closure, and I reasoned that mayb

e of things I had wanted to forget. "David, our relationship ended y

We ended the way we did, and I never really understood why. There was alway

within of me. In a sense, he was correct. We had broken up abruptly and never

my words. "Our goals were different. You want exploration and adventure

ative gaze, he

I regret how our relationship ended. I never had the opport

ks and smiled as she arranged them d

y during the pause, but it also made th

e. Claire, I'm not here to resurrect the past. I just... I

y we may become friends

e than that previously, and it seemed terrible and right at

possible," while maintaining eye contact. "We

game, however, I'd want to give it a go. Claire, there was a time when we got al

dly things were going in my marriage, the thought of getting back in touch with David seemed alluring. However,

am not sure what the future holds". David grinned sincerely as his

ht, falling into comfortable patterns without feeling like much time had gone. By the time we had finished our drinks, I experi

anged as we prepared to depa

st tell you something else as well. anythin

beat as I froze. "D

has to do with Lucas. You should be awa

od went cold. How on earth could David be awar

ng before I could inquire. His face tightening