Late to Love

Chapter 10: The Party That Wasn't

Nina stood in the corner of the room, swirling the wine in her glass, trying to ignore the knot of anxiety twisting in her stomach. Greg's voice carried across the room, charming and loud, as he chatted with his colleagues. The party was supposed to celebrate Greg's latest victory at the firm, but Nina felt completely out of place.

The room was filled with polished, high-achieving people, the kind who looked like they walked straight out of a fashion magazine and into a boardroom. Nina tugged at the hem of her dress, suddenly feeling underdressed, despite Greg's insistence that she looked perfect. He always said the right things, but somehow, it felt hollow tonight.

She had been smiling politely, laughing at the right times, making small talk with the other guests. But every time she turned away from the conversations, her mind wandered back to the nagging question that had been haunting her for weeks: Why me?

Her eyes followed Greg across the room. He was deep in conversation with one of the senior partners from his firm, gesturing animatedly, as he usually did when discussing his work. He looked so at ease here, completely in his element, while Nina felt like she was just... there.

She caught herself staring and quickly looked away. The last thing she wanted was for Greg to notice her doubt. But the question kept bubbling up inside her: How did I fit into his life?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft click of heels behind her. Nina turned and found herself face-to-face with Caroline, one of Greg's associates. She was striking, with sharp cheekbones and a glossy confidence that seemed almost effortless.

"How's it going, Nina?" Caroline asked, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. "Big night for Greg, huh?"

Nina nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, he's really worked hard for this."

Caroline took a sip from her glass, her gaze never leaving Nina's face. "It's impressive, isn't it? He's got the whole package. Brains, ambition, looks... and now, a fiancée." Her eyes flickered down to Nina's engagement ring, and she smiled slightly. "I guess we were all a little surprised when he popped the question. No offense, of course."

Nina's stomach churned, and she tried to keep her expression neutral. "Why surprised?"

Caroline shrugged, taking another sip of her drink. "I mean, Greg's always been the type to... keep his options open. You know what I mean? It's just... interesting that he settled down so quickly. With you."

The way she said "with you" made Nina's chest tighten. What does that mean? She wanted to ask but didn't. Instead, she forced a laugh and took a sip of her wine, hoping it would calm her nerves.

"Well, I guess he just knows what he wants," Nina said, but the words felt weak even as she spoke them.

Caroline gave her a long, knowing look. "Yeah. I guess so."

She walked away, leaving Nina standing there, feeling even more out of place than before. The party continued around her, but suddenly, it all felt distant, like she was watching it from behind a glass wall.

Later that evening, Greg finally found her in a quieter corner of the apartment. His smile faltered when he saw the look on her face. "What's going on with you tonight?" he asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You've been kind of... off."

Nina hesitated, biting her lip. "I've just... been thinking. About us."

Greg's brow furrowed. "What about us?"

Nina glanced down at her wine glass, the words she wanted to say catching in her throat. But she had to ask. "Why me, Greg?"

He stared at her, confused. "What do you mean?"