It was always you

Puzzled thoughts

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I rubbed my fingers over the key pendant hanging from my bracelet, trying to make sense of what had just happened. This key was more than a piece of jewelry; it was a constant reminder of Emerson. He’d given it to me on our third anniversary, back when everything seemed so certain. He wore a matching lock pendant, saying I was the key to his heart. I’d held on to it, even now. It gave me confidence, a reminder that no one could love me as much as Emerson once did. But it also reminded me that nothing could hurt more than losing him.

"Are you okay, Sally?" Diana asked, her voice pulling me back. She’d parked in front of our favorite restaurant, her eyes on me. She glanced down at the pendant, understanding in her gaze. "Does this have to do with Emerson?"

I nodded. There was no point in hiding it. "I saw him today," I said, the words heavy on my tongue. The green-eyed stranger, the familiar scent—everything fit. He’d promised me, back when we were still together, that if I ever tried to marry someone else, he’d show up and kidnap me. And today, of all days, I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d kept that promise.

“But he was the one who ended things,” I muttered, half to myself. “Why would he even care?” My heart twisted at the thought. If he could have any girl more beautiful than me—didn’t he say I wasn’t his type anymore? Why would he bother playing the hero?

Diana reached out, squeezing my shoulder gently. "Maybe he’s just here for business, like he always is," she said. "He does come here every six months. It doesn’t mean anything."

I wanted to believe her. It made more sense than thinking Emerson still cared. But he’d known I was in town; he always did. Every time he came here, I’d end up at the same hotel, finding excuses to be in the same room. I’d catch glimpses of him—talking to business partners, attending events—yet he never seemed to notice me. Not until today.

"Five years," I sighed, my voice breaking. "It’s been five years since we last talked. So many chances, so many times we could have said something, and he just ignored me like I was invisible."

Diana gave me a look that was part sympathy, part frustration. "You didn’t try either, Sal. You were both waiting for the other to make the first move. And now, look where it’s gotten you."

I knew she was right. We were both too proud, too scared of rejection, to take that step. Back then, we thought we’d always be best friends, no matter what. But our relationship changed that, and our friendship fell apart. Maybe that’s the lesson—never turn a best friend into something more. When it ends, it takes everything with it.

I glanced back at Diana, who was watching me closely. "Do you think he’s rubbing salt in the wound?" I asked, the bitterness creeping in. “Or does he just want me to know he’s still got the upper hand?”

She shook her head. "I don’t know, Sally. Maybe he’s trying to remind you of what you had. Or maybe he’s here for himself, to prove something."

I looked down at the key pendant again, feeling its cold metal against my skin. “It doesn’t matter,” I said, more to convince myself than her. “He can’t hurt me more than he already has.”

Diana nodded and squeezed my shoulder again. "Well, whatever it is, you’ve got me, and we’ve got some food waiting. Let’s go inside and forget about him, even if just for a while."

I managed a small smile. “Yeah, you’re right.”

As we stepped out of the car, I knew I couldn’t avoid Emerson forever. But for now, I’d focus on the one person who had always been there for me—Diana.