The cab Stevie had called stopped in front of the house. She didn't get out, she was hesitating. Why would she want to see this man? They were done, they talked and he found out what he wanted, they knew they were not rigtht together and they were supposed to move on. Stevie thought she had already, she married Lindsey after all. Then what made her call Andrew, what made her come here?
She paid the driver and was left standing alone in front of big iron gates. Suddenly, she felt self-conscious about the way she looked. She pulled out a compact mirror from her purse, she ran her fingers through her hair and reapplied her lipstick. She put her things back, when the gates started to part and she took unsteady steps up the driveway.
Andrew had the door opened already by the time she approached it. In his wildest dreams he didn't think he'd see her again, he was sure they were over for good. And he didn't hope something would happen, having her around was good enough for him. Besides, he wasn't entirely sure what was going on in her life at the moment and she didn't explain as to why she wanted to pay him a visit.
"You were the last person I expected to hear from tonight."
"That's nice."
"You know I didn't mean it like that, I'm surprised, that's all." Andrew shrugged, wondering if it were ok to hug her, he hesitated until Stevie closed the distance between them and put her arms around him. "You're as tiny as I remember."
"It's not like we haven't seen each other for ten years." She rolled her eyes in playful manner.
"Are we going to stand out here?"
"No, I'd like to come in." She smiled and his heart skipped a beat.
"I just had dinner, but I still have a bottle of wine I opened not that long ago."
"That would be wonderful."
"Alright, you go to the living room and make yourself at home and I'll be back in a minute." Stevie did just that. She took a seat on the couch and looked around herself. The room hadn't changed at all since she last was there, it almost terrified her how familiar and comfortable it felt.
She heard Andrew coming back. "That was way longer than a minute."
"Thirsty?" He laughed, handing her a glass of wine.
"Thank you." She touched her lips to the rim of the glass and took a sip, closing her eyes. "Perfect."
He knew he shouldn't, but he said it anyway. "You look beautiful."
"No, I don't." She disagreed. "Just look at the bags under my eyes."
He pretended to do that. "Uh-uh, your eyes stand out more than whatever imaginary bags you're talking about."
"You're so nice to me, Andrew."
"I'm not supposed to be?"
She shrugged. "I don't know."
"Steph, only because we broke up, it doesn't necessarily mean we have to hate each other."
"And I didn't say that, just... I'm rambling, ignore me." She took another sip of her wine.
"I could never." Their eyes locked, both remaining silent for a moment. They both knew it was dangerous territory they were exploring. "Anyway, why did you wanna come see me?"
"Because life is hard."
"I'm not sure I follow."
"I needed someone tonight. Someone, who knows me as well as you do."
"Well... what about your husband? If I recall correctly, you two have known each other since high school?"
"Right, just that my husband can't hear me. Or maybe he can, but he definitely can't respond to what I'm saying."
