Wide Open (Wesvitto)

Chapter 7

Torrey felt like it was all her fault. She felt really bad, she knew that it was her fault and if she'd known that things were growing difficult she would have backed off.

She was having a conversation with Candice when she found out and she had to question her to make sure that she heard correctly.

"What?"

"Yep, Paul and Phoebe broke up."

"Why? How?"

"Okay don't feel bad, but I think that it had something to do with you..."

"Me? Why would you say that?"

"Well I noticed that you two have been spending some quality time together and it made Phoebe a little suspicious and I guess jealous."

"I wish I knew otherwise I would've backed off."

"If I'm being completely honest, I'm glad you didn't." Torrey gave her a questionable look so Candice explained. "Ever since you reentered his life, he's been happy. Not saying that he wasn't before, but with you, it's different."

Torrey smiled slightly smiled thinking about how she felt the same way. She too was feeling happier than she has when they started hanging out again and she couldn't think of anyone else to be the cause of that besides Paul.

The next time she sees him is when they were seeing if the altercations to their bridesmaid dresses were perfect. The men were there for the same thing, but instead of dresses they were seeing if their suites fit to Candice's liking.

She must admit that it was a bit awkward, she didn't want to bring up his breakup, but it was the only thing that she thought of when she looked at him.

Torrey, along with the other bridesmaids, emerged from the dressing room to show Candice their dresses. She clapped and smiled in approval loving how beautiful everyone looked. Just as Torrey was going back to the dressing room someone pulled on her arm. She turned around with a strange look on her face but relaxed when she saw that it was Paul.

"Do you mind?" Paul asked pointing at his bow tie.

Torrey smiled and tied his tie. He was never good at bow ties; regular ties, yes, but bow ties, no.

"There you go." She patted his shoulder as she finished.

Paul smiled as this moment bought him back:

[Flashback in Paul's POV]

We were getting ready to attend a friend’s wedding. Torrey was finished getting ready, but I still had to tie my tie. I stood in front of the full length mirror focusing on the task at hand then Torrey rested her head on the back of my shoulder and snapped a picture.

"I love you." She softly spoke.

"I love you too."

Needing to touch her, I wrapped her in my arms and softly kissed her lips. She kissed me back then pulled away to kiss my cheek. She held up her iPhone to snap another picture of the moment as I stared into the camera, and when the picture was taken I kissed her again before we left.

Later on she posted the photos on Instagram in black and white and I remember how everyone was freaking out over the pictures commenting about how cute they thought we were. I loved that people supported my marriage because I knew that it would last for a long time.

"Have dinner with me." He wasn't asking.

"Paul..."

"Please. Have dinner with me."

He looked deep into her eyes and she looked at his. They were so focused on each other that they didn't even notice that everyone else in the room was staring at them.

"Okay." Torrey said almost robotically.

A smile appeared on his face, "Good."

Torrey turned around that's when she noticed all the attention that they drew. Everyone quickly resumed their conversations like they were never ease dropping. She blushed slightly and walked back to the dressing room.

She didn't know why she was nervous but she was. She's been out on dates with Paul plenty of times before and she wasn’t even sure if this was a date.

She found herself gravitating towards Paul's favorite dress that she owned. It was black in color and it stopped a few inches above the knee. It has sheer thick straps that reached from the back of her shoulders down to the curvature of her breasts. She paired the dress with sheer black pantyhose and velvet navy blue booties. She pulled her hair back in a ponytail and grabbed her clutch just as she heard knocking on the door. With one more quick look in the mirror, Torrey went to open the door to see Paul standing there. He wasn't wearing a suite, but even in his grey shirt that he loves topped with a leather jacket, black jeans and combat boots he still looked handsome.

"You look beautiful." He complimented. 

"Thank you."

They stood there smiling until Paul extended his arm for her to take. She looped an arm around his and held on to his bicep like she always used to do. They got in their town car and the driver took them to the restaurant.

ᗓᗓᗓᗓ

After their food was served the conversation broke lose.

"So I assume that you want to know why I invited you out?"

"Eaa I guess so."

They smiled.

"Well as you know I was working on a film based on the sort film Curfew, and it’s coming out soon and were competing in a film competition."

"Wow, that's great Paul! Congratulations!"

"Thank you."

"What's the film titled?"

"Before I Disappear"

"Sounds mysterious."

"Yeah it's a great title. Kind of makes you want to see it right away doesn't it?"

"It does. I can't wait to watch it."

"I'm glad you said that because I wanted to ask you if you would like to accompany me at the Film Festival."

"Um…"

"Think about it. No pressure."

The rest of their dinner they were catching up with each other. Paul asked questions about Africa and Torrey asked questions about The Vampire Diaries and they had a great time.

Like expected, when they left the restaurant there were a few paparazzi waiting outside to take their pictures. Torrey thought that she was going to go blind trying to search for their car. She knew that this would definitely be in the papers tomorrow.