It Had to Be You

Time Moves Quickly

Nina didn't have to try so hard to forget about Walker because shortly after that weekend he disappeared. Not entirely off the map of course, just from her own orbit. It was a blessed relief paired with a sense of grief she didn't know how to process. She went about her day to day and tried to understand how someone who played such a large role in her life for three days, could be absent immediately afterwards. It had only been a month since she had seen him and there hadn't even been a hint or a whisper in the air of his presence. She didn't want to ask about him. It would have tipped Alexa and Henry off. No, she preferred to be in isolation with her own feelings and insecurities. It was better this way. She wouldn't be accused of being a bother if she never said boo.

"You have to say something." Nina was on her third glass of wine sitting across from Erin, her best friend from college.

"Absolutely not." Nina stuffed a piece of brie in her mouth, trying to buy herself time.

"I agree, you have to say something." Annie chimed in, watching cautiously between Erin and Nina for Nina's reaction.

"I don't see how saying something to him would be helpful. The man is in a relationship."

"Yes but he's not married! He's not even engaged." Erin picked up her glass and the wine sloshed dangerously close to the rim.

"But he's with someone and we should respect that." Annie changed her tune when the sober part of her brain turned on.

"Yes we should." Nina pushed her wine glass away from her. She was getting way too close to a drunken text.

"We could or we could all acknowledge that he's been flirting with you even when he has a girlfriend and perhaps" Erin paused gathering her thoughts. "Perhaps, he has also been in love with you too and we just don't know it."

The women all nodded in solemn agreement. Yes, true love did sound nice. They had all grown up on the hopeless romantic love stories. Why should Nina have one of her own?

"I'm not gonna say anything. Not to Walker. Certainly to not Alexa or Henry. It's not meant to be and I have to accept that." Annie pushed her wine glass back closer to her and Nina took a deep gulp. She felt the red wine move down her throat and soften the growing feeling of tears threatening to poor out.

"You know, he could break up with her and you might find yourself to be on the receiving end of a booty call." Nina rolled her eyes. She appreciated Erin's enthusiasm but that seemed far-fetched even if it did tug at her heart strings.

"That's true. Or I could fall madly in love with some guy who happens to be completely unattached and totally available and we live happily ever after."

"Yes, or that." Annie said encouragingly.

---

Nina waved goodbye to Annie and Erin and flagged down a cab on Sixth avenue. It was cold out, shockingly cold for September and she regretted the leather jacket she had dug out for the occasion.

She was opening the door when she heard her name being called from somewhere.

"Nina! Hey!" She already had one foot in the cab as she turned to see Ben waving her down.

"Oh my god, Ben, hey!" He leaned in to give her a hug.

"Where you headed?" He was out of breath having run down the street to flag her.

"Back to mine. Are you also going downtown?"

"Yes, mind if we share a cab?"

"Not at all, hop in." Nina piled in and Ben followed.

"Two stops please." She said to the driver and gave him their addresses.

"So how have you been?" Ben asked as they made a left and began to head south down seventh.

"Good, yea. Busy with work but overall good." Nina had never been in this close proximity with Ben before. She didn't know what to say.

"How about you? How's Cassie?"

"She's great yea. I'm actually getting ready to propose. I was coming from the jeweler." He reached in his pocket and pulled out a ring box.

"Oh my god, this is huge." Nina's eyes lit up with excitement. She loved engagements. She loved love. She just wished she got to experience it herself.

Ben looked back at her equally excited. "I know. I can't wait to see her face."

"Do you mind if I see it?" She pointed at the box.

"Not at all, I went with what I think they call a marquis? I don't know diamonds. Walker actually helped me pick it out." Nina hesitated slightly at the sound of his name. When she opened the box she literally gasped.

"Walker has amazing taste. This is stunning." The diamond was beautifully set on a gold band and exquisitely cut. She knew Cassie would love it.

"She's going to be floored. It's gorgeous, well done." She closed the box and handed it back to Ben who put it in his pocket for safe keeping.

"Thanks. Thank god for Walker. I don't know if I could have picked something without his help."

"Was he there for Gabby?" She couldn't help herself .She needed to know.

"Nah not this time. Although maybe in the next few months. He said he's still got to finalize London." Ben asked the driver to pull over.

"This is me. It was great to see you Nina." He gave her a brief wave. "I'll Venmo you for the fare!"

"Don't worry about it, so good to see you." She waved as he closed the door and headed into a nondescript building. Nina tried not to let her mind wander. She was desperate to cling onto any ounce of information she got about him but this time there was nothing to hold onto. He needed to figure out London, whatever that meant. He also didn't buy a ring. Nina noticed she was holding her breath and took a long, deep exhale. She needed to stop doing this to herself. Walker wasn't hers. It was time to move on.