You may now kill the Bride

Lovers past

Lexi was lost in thought as she stepped off the sidewalk, her mind still back in the bridal shop. She didn't see him until it was too late, until she collided with a solid chest.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, stumbling back. And that's when she saw him, those familiar blue eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled.

"Lexi," he said, his voice like a warm hug. "It's been ages."

Lexi's heart fluttered as she took in the sight of him. Jake, her high school sweetheart, the boy she'd given her heart to. The boy she'd walked away from when her parents died.

Jake looked the same, yet different. A little older, a little rougher around the edges. But the way he smiled at her, it was like no time had passed at all. There was a lightness to him, a carefree energy that drew her in.

As they stood there, awkwardly brushing at each other's arms, Lexi felt a rush of memories. Lazy summer days, stolen kisses, whispers of forever. It was a lifetime ago, a different girl.

But as they caught up, sitting in a quaint little café, Lexi couldn't help but be drawn to Jake's easy charm. He was the yin to her yang, the missing piece she hadn't realized she needed. And as they laughed and joked, it felt like no time had passed at all.

"I heard about you and Reg," Jake said, his voice neutral. "I didn't think that was your scene."

Lexi shrugged, fidgeting with her napkin. "I don't know, it just happened. He's...persistent."

Jake raised an eyebrow. "Persistent?"

Lexi sighed, running a hand through her hair. "He's charming, and handsome, and he wants this...fairytale. And part of me wants to give it to him."

"But?" Jake prompted, his eyes knowing.

Lexi huffed out a laugh. "But part of me thinks I'm crazy. That I'm settling for this...image of a perfect life instead of actually finding one."

As she looked at Jake, she saw understanding in his eyes. He got it, he got her. And in that moment, Lexi felt a pang of regret. Why had she walked away from him? Why had she settled for less?

As they parted ways, Jake pulled her into a warm hug. "You deserve everything, Lex," he murmured. "Don't settle for less than that."

And as Lexi watched him walk away, she felt a resolve form inside her. She couldn't marry Reg, not without exploring what could have been with Jake. Not without seeing if there was still a spark between them.

Because as she looked down at her engagement ring, she realized one thing - she couldn't marry one man while still in love with another. Not without losing herself completely.