The depth of short stories and micro-fiction 2

When Past Meets Present

Baxter adjusted his tie for what felt like the hundredth time, scanning the crowded ballroom with a practised smile plastered on his face. His friend, Alex, was finally tying the knot, and Baxter was honoured to have been included in the festivities. As he raised his glass in a silent toast to the happy couple, his eyes landed on a familiar figure across the room.

His heart skipped a beat as he took in the sight of his ex, Emily, laughing and chatting with a tall, dark-haired man he'd never seen before. A pang of jealousy shot through him, catching him off guard. He'd thought he was over it – over her, over the messy breakup, over the lingering what-ifs. But the sting of seeing her with someone new told a different story.

Determined to shake off the unsettling feeling, Baxter turned his attention to the attractive stranger standing nearby, sipping a glass of champagne. She was a vision in a red cocktail dress, her long, curly hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of autumn leaves. Baxter felt a spark of interest and, seizing the opportunity to prove to himself that he'd moved on, he made his way over to her.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, flashing his most charming smile.

The woman turned to him, her bright blue eyes sparkling with amusement. "Not at all. I'm Sophie."

"Baxter," he replied, holding out his hand.

As they chatted, Baxter found himself relaxing in Sophie's presence. She was witty, intelligent, and had a quick sense of humour that left him laughing. But every so often, his gaze would drift back to Emily, who seemed to be having the time of her life with her new companion.

Sophie noticed his distraction and raised an eyebrow. "Everything okay?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Baxter hesitated, unsure how much to reveal to this virtual stranger. "Just...I saw someone I used to know," he said finally, trying to downplay the situation.

Sophie nodded sympathetically. "I think I know the feeling. Sometimes it's hard to let go of the past, even when we think we've moved on."

Her words struck a chord within Baxter. Was that what he was doing – holding onto the past? He thought he'd processed his emotions, and come to terms with the breakup, but the turmoil brewing inside him told a different story.

As the evening wore on, Baxter found himself growing more and more conflicted. He was drawn to Sophie, genuinely enjoying her company, but a part of him couldn't shake the feeling that he was using her as a distraction from his true emotions. Emily, on the other hand, seemed to be having no such qualms, dancing and laughing with her new partner as if she'd never been hurt.

Baxter's inner turmoil came to a head when Emily caught his eye across the room and smiled – a warm, intimate smile that sent a shiver down his spine. For a moment, it was as if no time had passed at all, and he was transported back to the days when they were happy when their love was still new and full of promise.

But then Sophie touched his arm, her fingers sending a jolt of electricity through him. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked, her voice low and gentle.

Baxter turned to her, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over him. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said, taking a deep breath. "Thanks for asking."

As he looked into Sophie's eyes, he realized that the true battle wasn't with Emily, or with the past, but with his own heart. He was torn between the comfort of what he knew and the uncertainty of what could be.

The music changed, and the lights dimmed, signalling the start of the reception's final dance. Baxter turned to Sophie, feeling a sense of trepidation mixed with hope. "Would you like to dance?" he asked, holding out his hand.

Sophie smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'd love to."

As they swayed to the music, Baxter felt his emotions begin to untangle. He was still hurt, still unsure, but with Sophie by his side, he felt a sense of possibility that he hadn't felt in a long time.

The song ended, and the lights came back up, illuminating the crowded ballroom in a warm, golden glow. Baxter looked at Sophie, feeling a spark of connection that went beyond a simple attraction.

"Can I see you again?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sophie smiled, her eyes shining with promise. "I'd like that."

As they exchanged numbers, Baxter felt a sense of excitement mixed with trepidation. He knew that he still had a long way to go and that he needed to confront his emotions and figure out what he truly wanted. But with Sophie by his side, he felt a sense of hope that he hadn't felt in a long time.

The battle with his heart was far from over, but for the first time in a long time, Baxter felt like he might just be ready to face it head-on.