Warner Park

✨ Chapter Nineteen | Namaste...

— Andrew —

For the next few weeks, I had coffee alone in the kitchen. I ran alone around Vince's neighborhood, just as I'd promised him, steering clear of Warner Park... just in case someone really was out to get me.

My days fell into a quiet rhythm. I worked, grabbed lunch with Cynthia or Gary occasionally, hung out with Aubrey when he was free, taught my classes, and then came back to Vince's house--alone.

When we first met, Vince teased me about my routines. "Sounds really lonely," he'd said.

It didn't hit me until now how true that was. Loneliness was all I'd ever known. I didn't realize how much brighter life could be with someone like Vince in it. Now, I couldn't stop comparing the way things were to the way things could be with him around.

"Post it," Cynthia urged, breaking through my thoughts.

I stared at the photo on my phone. It was me and Cynthia smiling at a café, coffee cups in hand, the caption announcing the studio I'd just signed off on.

"I hate this picture. I look like a sad raccoon," I mumbled.

Cynthia cackled. "Raccoons don't have baby blue eyes and a Prince Charming smile, Andrew."

"...Some might," I shot back, smirking.

She raised an eyebrow, amused, but unimpressed. "Seriously, Andrew. Just post it."

I sighed, feeling silly for hesitating. Vince would have laughed... I wanted him here for this moment. Signing the lease for my own studio was everything I'd dreamed of, but it wouldn't feel real until Vince came home and we could celebrate together.

Reluctantly, I posted the photo. Notifications pinged almost immediately.

"Are those all likes coming in the second your photo dropped?!" Cynthia's voice was practically a song. "Andrew! Do you realize how much progress you've made?"

My heart leapt as I scrolled through the comments... until I saw one that made everything else fade.

"...Vince liked my post," I whispered.

Cynthia's expression softened. "You doing okay? With...everything?"

I looked down at my coffee. "It's hard not having him here right now."

"When's he back?"

"Another week." I sighed. "I wanted to prove to myself that I didn't need him, you know? I wanted to get through these two weeks without feeling like I couldn't function, but it's been... hard." I hesitated. "Am I making Vince too big a part of my life? Is that... wrong?"

Cynthia tilted her head, giving me the look. "Andrew. Breathe. Finish your coffee. I'll be right back."

She returned with a glass of water, which I drank in one go, my nerves still buzzing.

"You know," she began, her tone quieter, "I've been hurt before too. Totally crushed. So... I get it."

She reached across the table and gently held my hand. The gesture was small, but it hit me deeply.

"Her name was Rebecca," she said softly. "We worked together for years before I caught feelings. We'd go out for drinks after work almost every day, just the two of us. I thought we were beating the odds, keeping it a secret, but... it ended. She broke it off, and I had to quit the job I loved. It crushed me. Therapy helped, but I never really got over her. I still think about her."

I squeezed her hand, knowing words wouldn't fix something like that.

"Ever since, I can't stop myself from wondering... what if it happens again? What if I fall for someone, and they just... wake up one day and decide they're done?"