My What if Christmas Wish

Chapter 4

Patrice's thoughts were interrupted when she heard Adam say her name. He had said something to her and she did not respond to him. They had finished their lunch, but they stayed a little longer for dessert.

"Are you okay?" Adam asked as he touched her hand.

She loved how in tune he was with her. He didn't always get it right, but she loved when he tried to make her feel better. "Yes, I was just thinking," Patrice responded. She pulled out her phone with her free hand, hating that she needed to be leaving soon.

"You sure? You look like you had a lot on your mind," Adam added still holding onto her hand.

"I was just thinking," Patrice informed him.

"About what, if you don't mind me asking," Adam wondered.

"About us. About how things ended between us. I hate it ended the way it did," Patrice replied not realizing what she'd just said. She wished she had kept her thoughts to herself.

He nodded in apparent agreement with her. "I hate we ended that way too. We were good together weren't we?"

Patrice was surprised. "Yeah, we were."

"Three years we were together."

"I know." Patrice cleared her throat. "Do you think about us... sometimes?"

"Sometimes."

"I never apologized about leaving the way I did."

Adam gave a faint smile. "You don't have to Patrice. I understood. You wanted your own life and I had to understand that."

"I know, but Adam I was young. I didn't—"

"Adam!" a sweet female voice called out, disturbing the couple's moment. Patrice watched as Adam turned to see the young woman behind them. He released Patrice's hand.

Patrice observed the young woman. She had medium length black hair, smooth brown skin, petite, and she carried a briefcase in her hands. Her makeup was flawless and her smile beamed from her square-shaped face. Adam stood to greet her. Much to Patrice's chagrin, he kissed her lips. Patrice felt her heart plummet as she watched the couple embrace affectionately. Adam took the woman by the hand and faced Patrice once more.

"Patrice, I want you to meet my fiancé, Danielle Edwards. Danielle, this is Patrice Nelson," Adam stated.

"Nice to meet you, Patrice," Danielle replied extending her hand.

Patrice took it kindly. This can't be happening. "Nice to meet you too, Danielle." She tried to sound as sincere as possible. Inside she wanted to dash for the door like a runner in an Olympic race. Adam helped Danielle out of her coat and pulled a chair for her to sit next to him. I need to get out of here—now. Patrice signaled the waiter to bring her the check.

"I'm glad I got to meet you, Patrice. Adam has mentioned you a few times. It's nice to put the face with the name," Danielle said.

Patrice smiled. She's actually nice, she thought. "It's nice to meet you. Adam and I knew each other a while back. We were just catching up on old times."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that." Danielle directed her attention to Adam. "Honey, we should invite Patrice to the wedding."

"Danielle, Patrice might be at home with her family during our wedding. Aren't you going home for Christmas?" Adam asked as he locked eyes with Patrice.

"I am I—wait a minute. You two are getting married on Christmas?" Patrice replied stunned.

Danielle nodded as if trying to hold back a squeal. "Christmas Eve actually. Both of our families we'll be here anyway, so we thought it would be a great Christmas present to the both of them." Danielle then turned and kissed Adam's lips.

Patrice did not know what to say. In two weeks, he'll be married.

"That's great." Patrice looked at her phone again. "You know I hate to run, but I really need to get back to the office. Danielle, it was nice to meet you, and Adam it was great seeing you again."

Patrice shook hands with both of them forcing a smile. She retrieved her coat from the back of her chair and left the table after she said a final goodbye. Patrice stopped in front of her car and exhaled deeply. I can't believe this. She put on her coat and retrieved her keys from her purse.

"Patrice," Adam called out. "Are you okay?"

Just go Adam, please. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be," Patrice replied, even though she was lying through her teeth.

"Are you sure? I hope you didn't feel uncomfortable with Danielle being there. That wasn't my intention," he continued.

"I'm fine, Adam. I'm happy for you. I hope you two are very happy together," Patrice replied as genuinely as possible.

"Thank you. It was good to see you again," Adam said with a smile.

"You too," Patrice responded.

Adam took her by the hand and embraced her one last time. He kissed her ear as always.

Patrice lingered in his arms for a moment but pulled away. "Merry Christmas Adam."

"Merry Christmas Patrice," he answered.

With that, she slid into the driver's seat of her car. Before she drove away, she watched Adam return inside the restaurant through her rearview mirror.

I'm sorry Adam, Patrice thought as she drove down the road, I want to be happy for you. I just know it could've been me.