𝑺 𝑬 𝑹 𝑬 𝑵 𝑰 𝑻 𝒀 (18+)

Epilogue part 2

                                          ♥♥♥

I didn't want to overdo it. Nothing too provocative, but nothing too prude. Something just right, something that showed him what he was missing but wasn't obvious about it. I would wear red—no black. Yes, black was the right way to go. Something tight and mid-length. A dress that had thin straps and a low cut but wasn't too booby. One that had a small slit to show some thigh but left something to the imagination.

Lucky for me I had just the dress.

I did my makeup, put some curls in my hair (which took about three hours), and put on my jewelry. Specifically the earrings and necklace Noah gifted me for Christmas. I wore them every day. Sometimes I forgot to take them off. I missed him more than I wanted to admit but I was playing things safe. I couldn't handle another heartbreak from him.

Better yet I wouldn't allow him to break my heart again.

Luckily since I'd moved everything was a lot closer to me. The restaurant Noah chose was already downtown so it was less than ten minutes away. I gave my keys to the valet and entered the restaurant walking straight to the host station.

"Oh my God, you're—"

"Harrington, please. He should be here already."

I didn't mean to be rude but I wasn't in the mood. I loved the attention but in some circumstances, it was just inappropriate. The host apologized and walked me to Noah and I's table. He was sitting there with his hands folded because he was always on time. I was just two minutes late but I should've made him sweat.

"Hi," he smiled.

"Hi," I replied.

The waiter walked over and filled our glasses with red wine, the bottle happened to be one of my favorites.

"How have you been?"

"I told you I've been fine."

He sighed, "I meant honestly."

I picked up my glass and took a sip of the wine savoring the taste for just a few seconds. "We're being honest now? That's new."

"Serenity you have every right to be mad at me but you weren't honest with me either. I had no idea what you and Tom were planning."

He was right, I wasn't being fair, "you're right and I'm sorry. I just—I don't know I just thought I was doing something nice for you."

His eyes lingered on me. From my hair to my eyes to my lips to my chest he was taking in every detail. It may have been two years but his gaze still made me feel the same, so open, so noticed.

"What are you looking at?"

"You, you look beautiful. I can't believe it's been so long. I'm sorry Serenity. I truly am, I wish I would've seen another way back then but I didn't. You have to know that I did what I did because I care about you."

"I don't know that Noah. You gave me snippets. I know what you said on a page but you've never expressed it to me. I told you I loved you and you still did what you did you—I know you saw no other way, I get it but—"

I shook my head and regained my composure, "you hurt me, multiple times. I can't—I can't give myself to you like that again if it doesn't mean anything."

This was good, I was doing good. We were having a conversation and I hadn't thrown my drink in his face yet. This could be very promising.

"It's not an excuse but I didn't know how to tell you, not in the way that I or you wanted me to. I had a lot of healing to do and I've done that. I do love you Serenity, I have and I never stopped. I'm willing to try again—I want to try again if you'll let me."