Hers to Love

Chapter 19

Chad is a nice guy. There's something about him that's easy to be around—comfortable, even. He's good-looking too, in that effortlessly charming way that makes you do a double take. It's not just his appearance, though; it's the way he carries himself, the confidence that isn't overbearing but just right. He's the kind of guy who knows how to hold a conversation, and there's a warmth in his smile that puts me at ease.

What stands out even more is that we're almost the same age. It feels different, more balanced. There's no need to tiptoe around things or worry about a gap in experiences or perspectives. We can relate to each other in ways that feel familiar and reassuring. It's nice, for once, to not have that lingering worry in the back of my mind about what people might think or whether I'm stepping into something that might be more complicated than it's worth.

We decided to go to a coffee shop nearby—one I hadn't visited since everything with Amir started. It felt like a fresh start, like a small but significant step in the right direction. Sitting across from Chad, sharing stories and getting to know each other better, I could almost convince myself that this could be something good, something real.

Maybe this is my chance to forget Amir, to let go of the feelings that have been weighing me down. It's strange to think about moving on, but there's a part of me that knows it's necessary. I can't keep holding on to someone who has left me in the dark, someone who has made me question myself more than I'd like to admit.

As Chad talks, I find myself smiling, feeling a sense of lightness that I haven't felt in a while. He's funny, attentive, and there's no pressure, no need to be anyone but myself. It's refreshing, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I might be able to let go of the uncertainty that's been eating away at me.

Maybe this really is my chance to move on, to find something—or someone—new who makes me feel good about myself again. It's still early, but with Chad, I can see the possibility of a future where I'm not constantly looking back, wondering about what could have been.

As Chad talked, his words faded into the background as Maria felt a strange sensation—like a subtle shift in the air, a tingling awareness that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Someone was watching her. She tried to ignore it at first, focusing on Chad's easy smile and the comforting buzz of the coffee shop around them. But the feeling grew stronger, impossible to brush off.

Curiosity got the better of her. She casually glanced around, her eyes scanning the room, and then she saw him. Amir. He was sitting a few tables away, and he wasn't alone. Beside him was a girl, young and lively, with a bright smile that made it clear she was enjoying Amir's company. They were close, too close for Maria's comfort.

Her heart dropped, and for a moment, it felt like the world had shifted beneath her feet. A pang of jealousy surged through her, sharp and unexpected, like a knife twisting in her chest. It wasn't just that Amir was with someone else—it was that she wasn't prepared to see it, to confront the reality that he might have moved on, or worse, that he never truly felt the same way she did.

Maria quickly turned back to Chad, forcing herself to focus on his words, on his presence. She couldn't let Amir see how much this was affecting her. She took a deep breath, gathering herself, pushing the jealousy down where it couldn't hurt her so much. She had come here with Chad for a reason—to forget, to move on. This was her chance to start something new, and she wasn't going to let Amir's presence ruin that.

But even as she smiled and nodded at Chad, the image of Amir with that girl lingered in her mind, a bitter reminder of the uncertainty and confusion she had been trying so hard to escape. It was harder than she thought, keeping herself composed, pretending that she didn't care, that she wasn't bothered by the sight of him with someone else.

Yet, Maria knew she had to stay strong. This was a test, a moment to prove to herself that she could move on, that she could choose to focus on what was in front of her instead of what was slipping away behind her. She wouldn't let the jealousy consume her, no matter how much it hurt. Instead, she would gather herself, hold her head high, and remember that she had her own life to live, with or without Amir in it.