Every Word - Short Story

Part 7

You went to work the next morning trying to forget what happened last night. You sat at your desk going over case files. You felt depressed and you knew why. You still couldn't believe he found you. How did he track you to New York? You tried to remove the thought from your head and focus on the cases.

You suddenly saw, out of the corner of your eye, a figure standing at the side of your desk. You look up to see Tom. He's smiling at you but it quickly disappears.

"I know I haven't known you very long but I can tell there's something wrong," he said. You tried to force a smile but you could feel your eyes start to water.

"There's n-nothing wrong, I-Im fine," you stuttered. You were losing it.

"Y/n, no your not, do you want to talk about it?" He asked. You have up. There was no use lying to him.

"Yeah," you said. You walked outside the police compound with him. You told him what happened yesterday and told him why you broke up with Ryan. He listened. He didn't interrupt. He just listened and that made you feel really good knowing that he really did care.

"I'm sorry. Do you still love him?" Tom asked.

"I did but that changed when he hurt me. I want to forgive him but he hurt me too much. We had been dating for almost 6 years! Everything was perfect all those years and then one day he decided to do something stupid," you say. Tom nodded.

"Well, I wanted to ask you yesterday after the press conference if you wanted to go out for lunch sometime and possibly put up with me for awhile longer but then other things happened and I didn't get the chance. I really like you y/n, but I don't know if you feel the same way and I didn't want to rush things and ma-" you cut Tom off by kissing his cheek. Tom cheeks reddened. You smile at him.

"I feel the same way about you. I moved on from Ryan over 2 years ago. I'm not going to let him come back and ruin the relationship I have now," you say. Your hands slip together as you continue to walk down the street.

"I'm glad, but I think you should take Ryan up on that coffee day and tell him where you stand and that you've moved on and found someone new," Tom mentioned.

"But what if he won't accept that?" You say.

"If he really loves you than he'll be happy that you're finally happy. He'll accept it because he cares about your happiness even if he still loves you and can't be with you, he'll still want you to be happy," Tom says.

"Are you speaking from experience?" You ask. He sighed.

"Yes, she ended things three years ago with me because she found some else. I was really disappointed and I loved her but I let her move on because I wanted her to be happy. If I couldn't do that for her and someone else could then that's all that mattered. Trust me I tried fighting for her but then I realized that she was happy," he said.

"Tom, I'm so sorry. I don't understand how she couldn't have been happy with you. You're so amazing and sweet," you say.

"Thanks darling but if that had never happened, I don't think I'd be walking here with you now," Tom said as he kissed your forehead. You smile at him.

"Alright, I'll talk to Ryan," you say.

"Here, I'll give you my number so you can call or text me if you want to talk. When can I take you on our first date?" Tom asked. You laughed. How about a dinner date tomorrow after I get off of work. Will that work for you, Mr. Holland?" You ask. He chuckled.

"Yes of course darling, it would be my pleasure to pick you up tomorrow evening. I'll see you then," Tom said. You both laughed. He squeezed your hand before leaving. You couldn't help but smile on your way back to the compound.

"You look happy," Jason said as you walked through the door.

"Extremely," you replied. Last night you called your best friend Lucy and told her what happened. She supported you and told you she would come visit soon. Now after talking with Tom today, you wanted her to meet him right away. You went back to your desk and pulled out your phone and texted Ryan.

Tomorrow at noon.