Don't take it Personal

Unexpected Possiblities

With my bags packed, I summoned an Uber to transport me to Mega Mart, where I intended to gather cleaning supplies for the new space Trey had generously provided the key for. Clad in a casual ensemble of jeans shorts and a white T-shirt, paired with white Vans, I stepped into the awaiting Uber.

Upon my arrival at Mega Mart, I commandeered a shopping cart and ventured into the store, greeted by a colorful assortment of products. My purpose was to scour the cleaning supplies aisle for essentials such as bleach, fabric softener, Pine-Sol, Fabuloso, Air Wick, and detergent. Each item found its place in my cart.

As I navigated towards the dessert aisle, a chance encounter with Miller, his cart brimming with groceries, disrupted my thoughts. The memories of our past relationship stirred within me, a complex blend of emotions. Miller, dressed in his signature all-black jogger set and white Air Force sneakers, approached me with a nervous demeanor.

"Hey, Steph," he said, hesitantly.

"Miller," I replied, my voice carrying the weight of our history.

He expressed the desire for a conversation, seeking clarity, though uncertainty shrouded the outcome. After a brief pause, I conceded, "Fine, tomorrow at 10:30 at Starbucks." Then, I walked away, leaving behind the ice cream, cold beer, and chips that I had intended to enjoy.

Having checked out at the cashier, I was on the cusp of ordering an Uber when Trey, dressed impeccably in a black suit, white shirt, and a black tie, appeared before me. I couldn't help but appreciate his polished appearance compared to my casual attire.

"Going home?" he inquired.

A smile graced my lips. "No, I'm actually heading to the apartment to clean up."

"Alright," he responded, offering to carry my bags. We made our way to a sleek white Kia Sonet 2021, a vehicle I had grown fond of. Trey secured the items in the trunk and courteously opened the car door for me, prompting me to wonder just how many vehicles he owned.

As we embarked on the short journey to the apartment, Trey's exhaustion and restlessness became apparent. Conversation turned to his need for an assistant and plans for an impending business trip.

"How about I return the favor?" I proposed, a glint of mischief in my eyes. "How about I be your assistant until you find someone to your liking?"

Trey's response was filled with gratitude, and in a spontaneous moment, he lifted me into the air. As he lowered me down, our lips brushed in a moment filled with anticipation, desire, and the promise of a future filled with unexpected possibilities.

The taste of Stephanie's lips lingered in my mind, a fleeting spark of attraction amidst the chaos of our unexpected encounter. But as quickly as it had ignited, she retreated, disappearing into the half bathroom. The reality of our situation crashed down on me, and I knew that we needed to address the growing awkwardness between us.

Trey POV

I made the decision to leave her apartment, giving us both some space to process what had just transpired. The weight of our shared history and the unexpected kiss hung heavily in the air, and I understood the complexities it introduced.

Once I was back in my own space, I couldn't shake the feeling that what had happened shouldn't have occurred. Yet, it was undeniable-it had happened, and it had left an indelible mark on both of us.

In an attempt to bridge the gap between us, I decided to send Stephanie a text message. My fingers hovered over the keys as I composed the message.

"Hey Steph," I began, "sorry about that. If you're still interested in the position, it's a Monday to Friday commitment. There might be some Saturdays, but you'll have at least a week's notice. There could also be business trips. Work hours are from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. That's the gist of it. Let me know once you've had a chance to think it over."

I hit send, hoping against hope that she would consider my offer despite the unexpected twist of fate that had brought us together once again.

Miller POV

As I walked through the front door, I spotted Shellyann on the couch, engrossed in an episode of Family Feud. She was still wearing the same orange dress that she had on when I left for work earlier in the morning, and her hair was tangled in disarray. It was clear that she had put her work on hold, mentioning earlier that it made sense to tackle the bills early with the baby on the way, even though she was only three months pregnant.

I began unloading the groceries, and a peculiar thought crossed my mind. I couldn't help but reflect on the countless times Stephanie had asked me to handle a grocery run, and I had always found an excuse to evade the task. Yet, here I was, sorting through the groceries without hesitation.

As I continued to unpack, my gaze shifted to the fridge. It was in a sorry state, clearly untouched for days, maybe even a week. In that moment, I found myself appreciating Stephanie's unwavering commitment to maintaining a clean and organized home.

With a sense of responsibility, I decided to address the state of our living space. Before I could embark on cleaning the fridge, I turned my attention to the bed, which was left unmade, and the scattered clothes strewn across the room. Memories of simpler times washed over me, and with a sigh, I realized that I needed to tackle this disorder before I even thought of indulging in a shower.

Such were the changes life had brought our way, and as I picked up the scattered clothes, I couldn't help but acknowledge the shifting dynamics and the challenges that lay ahead, especially with the impending arrival of our child.