feeling his presence, every second ♡︎

-7-

"I hate when you're right but you were right, Leah." I laughed as I walked through the mall. Surprisingly, no one had really acknowledged the fact that I was there. "No way he texted you." I can feel the pure shock through the line. "Yes he did and he said and I quote ' Remember how it's always been us? Now tell me why we aren't together now?' I practically melted when I got that text, Leah."

"No kidding!! You're going to date Batman again." Which she was wrong in that aspect because he wasn't Batman at the time. " We've been talking back and fourth for a few days now and he is taking me on a date tommorow. I'm so obsessed with the idea of this." I was smiling so much, just like it was 2002 and 2015 all over again. "I'm so happy for you, Jen. I could see he always made you happy because Ben Affleck is-" I walked into Cartier as I talked because I was looking for two particular rings that Lynda and Leslie both wanted

I interrupted Leah. "Ben Affleck is the epitome of the perfect man. Ben Affleck is-" I got my karma because I was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Ben Affleck is what?" I was talking about Ben Affleck's perfection while Ben Affleck was behind me."Who just talked to you Jennifer?" I was quite literally speechless. "Leah I'll call you back."

"Hey Jennifer." His smile is so intoxicating. "Hi Ben." That's all I could say. Did I expect to see Ben here? No. Did I think he would hear me talking about him? Definently not. "So what were you gonna say about me? Sorry to butt into your conversation, I'm just very intrigued."

"Ben Affleck is the man I think I'm supposed to be with." Let me remind you, I was smiling continuously. "That's really nice to know because coincidentally I was in here and I thought about you when I saw this." He began to put a jewelery box out of his bag and opened the box. He revealed the Cartier Love Bracelet. We had been talking about these types of bracelets 2 nights ago. He had asked me about my BVLGARI Serpenti bracelet and if I liked that type of fit. I had told him about Cartier and how their fit was also nice.

He paid attention to everything that I said. "I was going to give you this on the night of our date but since you're here;" He put the bracelet on my wrist. It was truly perfect. "Ben!!" He was so thoughtful. "This is too much!! Thank you, baby." Okay, If someone overuses the word "Baby" it's me. "That's nothing, Jen." I gave him a hug and thanked him again. We haven't even made things official and he's already treating me like a queen. We ended up walking around together and I bought him a few thing's I thought he would look good in. I used to do this in 2002 as well because he was open to me styling him. It felt so normal.

I think that maybe we can make it a regular thing this time. There isn't anything keeping us away from each other anymore. I also think we can count this as our first date? It may have been accidental but it still kinda counts. Thankfully, filming isn't allowed in this mall because if it was; it wouldn't be pretty. The only people who know we are together right now are bystanders and I'm sure Leah figured it out already.

We laughed, smiled, hugged and even held hands at some points. By the time we were done shopping together; he walked me to my car while holding my hand. "By the way; dont think that this is our first date because this isn't even a quarter of what I want to do with you."

"I didn't think so. I know you too well." Sadly we approached my car and our day was over. Today was definently a "Pinch me" Moment. "Well I have your number, I'll text you. Thank you for walking me to my car." There hasn't been a dull moment today, nothing less than smiles and laughter. He pulled me into his arms and I felt him kiss my head. I didn't want to get too excited this time around. We all know what happened last time.

He kissed my cheek before I got in my car and drove away. I was still smiling of course. Okay as much as I don't want to get excited and I hate thinking about how real Leah's thoughts maybe; I do think this is a sign now. What are the odds that we've been together 3 times? And we always resulted back to one another. Like come on? That may be my hopeless romatic brain talking but I don't think that's a coincidence. When I got home I packaged the rings I got Lynda and Leslie. I put them on my shelf because I was waiting to give it to them when I saw them. I told Leah about all that had happened and of course she was ecstatic. I took a shower, did some laundry and made dinner for the kids and I.

Max and I ended up watching Ted Lasso again while Emme rearranged her room. I offered her my help but she told me that it was okay and that I didnt need to. After Max went to bed, I went back to my room and texted Ben.

Jen: Hey baby!! Sorry I hadn't texted you. I was watching Ted Lasso with Max LOL.

Ben: No problem. The kids come first. We know that.

Jen: Thank you for understanding. I hope you had a good rest of the day.  Emme came in my room, dancing to the song that we dance when Leah comes over. Basically, Leah and I taught Sofia and Emme the entire choreography that we did to "Push it" in Second Act. It's become a normal thing that we do when she comes over.

"Come on, Mom. Don't leave me to do this alone." I laughed and quickly got up and danced. After, we laid in my bed and she saw me texting Ben.

Ben: It's always a great day when I see you.

Jen: Thank you so much. I love you for that.

Did I really say that? Is it the appropriate time to say that? I mean, It's already done but was that smart of me."OOOO Mom is that the Ben?" She knows the whole backstory with Ben from magazines and others reports. I nodded and she flipped out unexpectedly. "That's crazy!! Did you know that His daughter is Sera?" Now I was in shock. His daughter and mine had already been familiar with each other. She always talked about Sera and she would always tell me about how they were best friends. Okay fate? Hello is that you?"

"Are you going to be with him?" Did she want me to? "I don't know, Emme. I want to though. He was my first love. Is that something that you want?"

"I truly want this and I truly could see this as a permanent thing." That right there; was the clarity I was looking for.