Second Chances

seventeen

a l e x

The week flew by really quickly, and by the time I finally caught up with the days, it was already Friday.

I was secretly hoping Luke would get sick again, not because I wanted him sick but because it would be the perfect excuse for him not to come to dinner with my family.

"Hey, Alex," Mia chirped from the other side of the phone. Since I knew her, my brother's girlfriend and longtime crush was the sweetest girl ever. "What's up?"

"Hey," I greeted back, not as lively. "You're coming to dinner at the house later, right?"

She confirmed my suspicions. "I'm at your house pretty much everyday now anyway. Ryder keeps asking me to help him review after I finish work."

"That's kinda what you signed up for when you agreed to date him," I laughed. "Anyway, I'm so happy you said you're going to be there."

Mia probably was confused because I heard the curious tone in her voice. "Did you need me to do something or bring something for later?"

"Just a favor," I requested. "Is it okay?"

"No problem, what is it?"

"Luke is coming to dinner tonight, and I need someone to help me defend him," I confessed. "I know it's a lot to ask, but will you help me?"

"Luke?" she repeated. "Like Luke Thompson? Your ex boyfriend?"

"That's the one," I confirmed. "I don't know if I can get through that dinner without someone on our side. Especially with all my whole family ready to kill him."

"I got you. Don't worry," I knew I could count on her. "I'll take care of Ry and say anything you need me to say."

I sighed in relief. "You're a lifesaver, Mia. Thank you so much."

"Wait, why is he coming anyway?" she wondered before gasping loudly. "Holy shit, are you two dating again?"

"It's kind of complicated right now. Mom saw him with me and basically forced him to come," I explained.

"Grace is scary, I can't blame him," Mia commented.

"She really is, she doesn't even try to hide it anymore when she doesn't like someone," I agreed with her. "Anyway, thanks again for your help. I have to get back to work or else I'll get to dinner late., and mom will be even angrier."

"Anytime, Alex," she beamed. "I better get back to work too. See you later."

"See ya."

I ended the call and eyed the stack of papers I had on my desk.

When I got my job at Evans Corp., I knew I'd have to deal with paperwork, but I just didn't realize how much I'd have to stare at papers as head of operations.

I knew I wouldn't finish at the time I wanted to if I stopped working. I did it as fast as I could, but by the time lunch rolled around, I was only about halfway through.

I asked Janet to fetch me some random food from the cafeteria, thanking her when she came back with a plate of chicken and pasta.

Although the food was appetizing enough, I barely ate. I felt like I was going to vomit if I ate because of nerves. The last time I felt that way was just four days before, when I was going into the quarterly meeting.

Somehow, I managed to finish all my work before the clock struck four, the time I planned to leave so I could get ready for dinner.

My parents liked to have dinner at seven, and even if nobody said anything, I knew I had to bring food. I was the one who cooked in the family after all.