𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫 | 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐢

For The Last Time

The twins and I ran into Cheryl as soon as the elevator doors opened. She sat a carry-on bag by the wall next to a suitcase before turning towards us.

"Welcome back. Did you three have fun at the museum?" Her eyes were locked on me, but I couldn't bring myself to respond. Luckily, the twins spoke up.

"The museum was alright but dinner was even better! We stopped at a food truck festival on the way home." Chelsea squealed with delight.

"Really?" Cheryl asked surprised.

They nodded. "And we got something for you!"

"That was thoughtful of you." Cheryl searched my eyes, but I offered her the takeout, still not meeting her gaze. "It was their idea."

She opened the box of stir fry and grinned. "I love Kung Pao. How did you know?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Just a lucky guess."

"Right." Cheryl cleared her throat, then turned her attention back to the twins. "Why don't you two wash your hands, then head into the kitchen for your surprise special dessert?"

"On it." The two raced toward the bathroom leaving Cheryl and I alone in the hallway.

I started moving to the kitchen.

"Toni." Cheryl called.

"Yes?"

"Thank you for dinner, for both me and the twins. I shouldn't have backed out of my promise to have a special dinner with them."

"No, you shouldn't have."

She stared at me for another moment, then I sighed as my resolve started to waver.

She placed the food box on the counter and opened it. "It looks delicious."

Even though I was still mad at her, my heart softened as I watched her take a bite. She glanced over at me and smiled tentatively, which was when I noticed a drop of sauce in the corner of her lip.

"You've got a little.." I reached for a napkin and offered it to her. "Here."

She took it, and quickly wiped her mouth. "Thanks. That could've been embarrassing."

I opened my mouth to say more-- not even sure exactly what-- when the twins hurried into the room.

"Desert time!"

"What're we having?"

"I thought you'd like to make some s'mores." Cheryl smiled.

"With the mega-big marshmallows?" Chelsea asked with wide eyes.

Cheryl nodded. "Of course." She pointed the twins toward the s'mores supply already set up on the kitchen counter. I didn't even notice them before.

"I'll, uh, leave you three to it." I said, taking careful steps backwards.

"Where are you going? You haven't even had a s'more yet!" Casey held up a marshmallow towards me.

"I don't want to intrude on your last night together." Cheryl's leaving in the morning, this would be the twins' last memory with her until.. who knows how long.

"You wouldn't be intruding." Cheryl reassured.

"Still.. you should have some privacy." I forced my lingering gaze from her, then turned and left before I changed my mind.

. . .

Later that night.

I continued to pace in my room, feeling more alone with my thoughts than I had all day.