I Love you After Sunset

CHAPTER 8 THE STRING OF JEALOUSY

The summer days in Maplewood grew longer, filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the sound of children playing in the park. Natasha continued her work on the community garden, finding solace in the simple joy of nurturing life. Her encounter with Warren had given her some closure, but the emotions stirred by seeing him again lingered in her heart.

One afternoon, while Natasha was at the garden, Emily came running up to her, breathless with excitement.

"Natasha, you won’t believe it! There’s a big barbecue at the park tonight, and everyone’s going. You should come!"

Natasha hesitated for a moment. Social gatherings still felt a bit daunting, especially with the possibility of running into Warren. But Emily’s enthusiasm was infectious, and Natasha knew it would be good to reconnect with the community.

"Alright, I’ll come," she agreed with a smile.

That evening, the park was alive with laughter and the smell of grilled food. Natasha and Emily joined a group of friends, chatting and enjoying the festivities. As they moved through the crowd, Natasha spotted Warren near the barbecue pit, laughing and talking animatedly with a group of people. Next to him was a young woman with bright eyes and an easy smile. She was effortlessly beautiful, with a warmth that radiated even from a distance.

Natasha’s heart sank as she watched them together. The woman leaned into Warren, her hand resting casually on his arm. It was clear from their body language that they were more than just friends.

"Who’s that?" Natasha asked Emily, trying to keep her voice casual.

Emily glanced over and then back at Natasha, her expression sympathetic. "That’s Lily. She’s Warren’s girlfriend. They met at college."

Natasha felt a pang of jealousy and sadness. She knew it was irrational—Warren had every right to move on and find happiness. But seeing him with someone else, someone who seemed so perfect for him, was like a knife twisting in her heart.

As the evening wore on, Natasha found it harder to enjoy herself. She kept glancing over at Warren and Lily, feeling a mixture of envy and longing. She missed the days when she and Warren were inseparable, sharing secrets and dreams. Now, those days felt like a distant memory, overshadowed by the present reality.

Eventually, Natasha excused herself from the group and wandered over to a quieter part of the park. She sat on a bench near the old oak tree, her mind swirling with thoughts and emotions. The sound of footsteps behind her made her turn, and she saw Warren approaching.

"Hey, Natasha," he said, his voice friendly but cautious. "Mind if I join you?"

She nodded, and he sat down beside her. For a moment, neither of them spoke, and then Warren broke the silence.

"I saw you earlier, but I didn’t get a chance to say hi. How have you been?"

Natasha forced a smile. "I’ve been good. Busy with the garden and school."

"That’s great," Warren said, genuinely sounding impressed. "The garden looks amazing. You’ve done a fantastic job."

"Thanks," she replied, the conversation feeling strangely formal. She glanced at him, then back at the ground. "I saw you with Lily. She seems really nice."

Warren smiled, a soft look in his eyes. "She is. We met in one of our classes and hit it off right away. She’s been a huge support for me."

Natasha nodded, trying to mask her feelings. "I’m happy for you, Warren. You deserve to be happy."

There was another awkward silence, and then Warren said, "Natasha, I know things didn’t end well between us, and I’m sorry for that. I never meant to hurt you. Seeing you again, it just brought back a lot of memories."

Natasha felt a lump in her throat. "I know. It’s just hard sometimes. We were so close, and then everything changed so quickly."

Warren reached out and took her hand gently. "We had some great times, and I’ll always treasure those memories. But life moves on, and we both have to find our own paths."

Natasha squeezed his hand, feeling a sense of bittersweet acceptance. "You’re right. It’s just going to take some time."

As they sat together under the oak tree, the past and present seemed to blur. Natasha realized that while she might never fully let go of her feelings for Warren, she could find a way to move forward. She had her own life to live, filled with dreams and possibilities.

The evening sky darkened, and the first stars began to appear. Natasha and Warren stood up, sharing a final, lingering look.

"Take care, Natasha," Warren said softly.

"You too, Warren," she replied, watching as he walked back to join Lily.

As Natasha turned and walked away, she felt a strange sense of peace. She knew there would still be moments of sadness and jealousy, but she also knew she had the strength to overcome them. Her life was just beginning, and she was ready to embrace whatever the future held.