I Moved On, Right?

Echoes of Yesterday

STAN'S POV:

I couldn't sleep that night. My mind swirled with thoughts of Vera and David. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that photo-Vera laughing, carefree, a side of her that always felt magnetic. I replayed David's words over and over again. "She made me believe in second chances."

The next morning, I woke up groggy but resolute. I needed answers, but I also knew Vera. She wasn't someone who would hide her past, but I feared how she'd react to me bringing it up. The trust we were rebuilding was fragile, and one wrong move could send us back to square one. Drowned in my thoughts, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen-Vera was calling.

I hesitated for a moment before answering, trying to steady my voice. "Hey," I said, hoping I sounded normal.

"Heyy Stan," her voice came through, soft but cheerful. "Did I wake you up?"

"No,no. I've been up for a while." I said

"Good. I was just thinking about you," she said casually, and for a moment, her words eased the storm in my mind.

"Yeah?" I asked, trying to match her tone.

"Yeah," she replied, "you seem a little off, are you okay?" her voice changed from cheerful to concern.

My grip tightened around the phone. Of course she noticed. Vera was always sharp, always paying attention. I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a laugh.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said quickly, trying to brush it off. "Just a lot on my mind, you know? Work stuff, life stuff... nothing serious."

There was a pause on her end, and I could almost picture her narrowing her eyes in that way she did when she didn't quite believe me.

"Stan," she said softly, "you don't have to do that with me. If something's bothering you, just say it."

Her words hit harder than they should have. She was giving me the perfect opening, but I wasn't ready to take it-not yet. "I know, Vera. And I will...But I promise, I'm okay."

She didn't sound convinced, but she let it go with a small sigh. "Alright, if you say so. Just don't forget I'm here, okay?"

"I won't," I said, my chest tightening with guilt. "Thanks, Vera."

"Anyway," she said, her tone lightening again, "I was calling because I was thinking we could grab lunch today. Just us. Pearl's out all day, so I thought it'd be nice."

Her suggestion caught me off guard. Seeing her in person meant I'd have to be even better at hiding the turmoil in my head. But avoiding her wasn't an option.

"Yeah, that sounds good," I replied, doing my best to sound enthusiastic. "Where do you want to go?"

"How about your place?" Vera suggested casually. "It's been a while since we've hung out there, and honestly, I'm kind of craving a home-cooked meal. You up for that?"

I froze for a moment, caught off guard by her suggestion. Seeing her in person was already daunting, but having her in my space-where there was no escape from my thoughts-felt even more overwhelming. Still, I couldn't say no.

"Yeah, sure," I said, keeping my tone light. "I can throw something together. Any special requests?"

She laughed softly. "No. I'll tell you that after coming, don't start cooking until I come. I don't want you stressing out over it."

"Alright," I said, forcing a chuckle. "I'll see what I can come up with. Let's say... 1 PM?"

"Perfect," she replied, her voice brightening. "I'll bring dessert, though. No arguments."

"Fine, fine," I said, shaking my head even though she couldn't see me. "See you at 1."

We hung up, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. My apartment felt like the worst possible place to meet right now-too quiet, too intimate. There'd be no distractions, no noisy café chatter or waitstaff interruptions to help me dodge the thoughts clawing at the back of my mind.

I glanced at the clock. Three hours. Three hours to figure out how to act normal, how to keep my thoughts about David and that photo from spilling out. Three hours to convince myself that the past didn't matter as much as what Vera and I were trying to build now.

I got up and started cleaning the apartment, more to occupy my hands than anything else. I wiped down the counters, straightened the couch cushions, and even rearranged the books on my coffee table.

As the clock ticked closer to 1 PM, I found myself pacing the living room. The apartment was spotless but my mind was no clearer. I'd already set the dining table-something simple, just two plates and a vase with some flowers I'd picked up from the corner shop. I wasn't trying to impress her, but a part of me wanted everything to feel... right..