Ryan pushed around her salad at the lunch table absent-mindedly. "What wrong?" Jada asked. "I'm not very hungry." Ryan answered quietly. "Do you miss having Luke at work?"
"Work is fine." Ryan said. "Is this about some girl?" Jada asked. "Her name is Sophie." Ryan answered. "What happened?"
"I ran." Ryan shrugged. "Ryan." Jada sighed. "I didn't know her for very long. Falling for her was easy. I felt something between us." Ryan told Jada. "And you ran."
"And I ran." Ryan said. "You are such a tough woman. The world has tried to beat you down at every turn. It's understandable that you would be skeptical of something so simple and easy. You deserve to be happy, Ryan. You of all people have earned a break. Sophie can be that for you."
"I don't know how in only two weeks she has stolen my heart." Ryan said. "Love is funny that way." Jada said. Ryan put her fork down. "You should call her."
"And say what?" Ryan asked. "Ask her to have dinner with you. You're going to starve if you don't eat something." Jada said. Ryan softly smiled at Jada. "Okay."
Ryan got home. She took off her shoes by the door and put them on the shoe rack. She hung her keys on the hook by the door. She walked into her bedroom and laid out her pajamas on the bed. She ran a hot bath and dropped a bath bomb inside the tub.
She poured herself a glass of wine and stripped nude. She stepped into the bath for a relaxing soak.
Ryan picked up her phone and video called Sophie. "Hello?" Sophie answered. "Hey." Ryan replied. "I'm at work." Sophie told her. "Do you want to get dinner with me some time?" Ryan asked. "At your place or mine?"
"I mean, like, go out." Ryan clarified. "Hold on." Sophie's video cut out for five minutes. When her camera came back on, she was in a totally different location. "What the hell is wrong with you?" She asked. "A lot." Ryan answered. "I don't hear from you in 5 days, and now you're asking me to go on a date?" Sophie said.
"I know. I'm sorry." Ryan apologized. "I am a grown ass woman. I don't have the time for childish games, nor do I have the patience." Sophie said. "Yes, Ma'am." Ryan replied. "Fucking hell." Sophie breathed. "I didn't call to stress you out." Ryan said.
"You could've fooled me." Sophie said. "I miss you, and there is so much that I want to tell you, but it doesn't feel right saying it over the phone." Ryan said. "If this is some scheme to get me in bed, I'm blocking you." Sophie said. "I understand."
"I'm free Saturday night." Sophie told Ryan. "Meet me at the restaurant at 7." Ryan said. "Okay." Sophie said. "Bye."
Saturday couldn't come fast enough. The week seemed to have gained extra hours. The anticipation of seeing Sophie again had somehow caused time to slow down. Ryan was noticing the seconds passing.
Ryan had chosen a nice upperclass quiet restaurant for them to meet. She wore a lace long sleeve black dress that hugged her body and showed her curves. She straightened and loosely curled her hair. She put on a gold necklace, bracelet, and anklet. Then she put on stiletto heels that gave her an extra 5 inches and helped bring attention to the lower half of her body.
She examined herself in the mirror for two to three minutes before grabbing her phone, clutch, and keys.
Her driver dropped her off at the restaurant at 6:45 pm. Early enough for Ryan to calm her nerves while she waited at the table for Sophie. She practiced what she was going to say repeatedly in her head.
Sophie walked in wearing a simple long sleeve olive green dress. Her necklace had an S pendant that rested just at Sophie's chest. Her hands are freshly manicured. Ryan drinks in the view as Sophie walks over.
She stood up when Sophie reached the table. Words failed her when she thought to speak.
They sat across the table from each other. Ryan placed her hand on the table palm up as a sign for Sophie. Sophie put her wrist in Ryan's hand and held Ryan's wrist. "I missed you." Ryan said. "You could've called."
"I was scared." Ryan told her. "Of me?" Sophie questioned. "The way I feel about you. I have felt like this before about a different woman. I gave her all of me, and in the end, she broke me. When those feelings came back, I instinctively responded to protect myself because I didn't want to get hurt again."
Sophie exhaled. "I'm not trying to make an excuse for my behavior. I want you to know why I did what I did. I'm sorry." Ryan apologized. "I really like you, Ryan, but I learned from my ex what I will and will not tolerate from someone I could potentially see myself with. I need to be able to trust that you will communicate with me. Is that something you can do, or are you often avoidant and distant when confronted with an issue?"
"I am willing to work on it." Ryan said. "I will accept that." Sophie smiled. "The wine that you left was delicious, by the way." Sophie said. "I'm glad you liked it." Ryan replied. "Do you want to come over for a glass after dinner?"
"Maybe another time." Ryan replied.
