I - New End: Danielle ✔️

Part 32 - My best friend

Dannii/ Sweat is running down my back as I run down the snowy street. It's been three weeks since we buried Cole. Ben returned to New York to catch up on some work and give me the space I need to get over his brother. I've baked about three hundred cupcakes for a baptism. Since I haven't made any progress with the moving on part, I picked up running again. Running away form my problems, literally!

Ben calls me every other day and texts me at least four times a day. Jackie try's to act normal around me, but I know she's still hurting. My mom and Charlotte check in on alternate basis.

After my run I open the shop, like I do every day. Life goes on...

My phone buzzes as the clock hits 10 AM, right on time!

Benjamin - How was your run? -

Dannii - 6 miles... -

Benjamin - Go Danielle! -

I smile, I am proud about running again. Doing something positive.

Benjamin - Wanna have dinner Saturday? -

Oh wauw... am I ready for this? Will I ever be?

Dannii - Sure, what did you have in mind? -

Benjamin - My place? -

Casual, I can do casual.

Dannii - It's a ... Dinner ;) -

I'm still breathing so I guess this is a good sign right?

I start to reorganize the cabinet underneath the counter as I hear the doorbell ring.

"One Pistachio Spring Party, please!" a woman asks.

Yes! My first sell of the Pistachio flavored Spring Party mix!

I invented the batch, the other night when I couldn't sleep. Didn't think anyone would buy it to be honest. I do an inner dance, glad my sleepless night wasn't a waist.

When I get up to greet the adventures woman, I'm met with a familiar face.

"Josephine, Hi." Surprise must be all over my face as she apologizes instantly.

"Hi, Dannii. I'm sorry to barge in like this. If this is weird, I can go!" She nods to make a point, she's eager to go!

But why come in the first place, if your not comfortable being here?

"It's fine!" My curiosity gets the better of me. "Would you like a coffee or thee with that Spring Party?" I sound cheerful. Over the past few weeks I've had a lot of time practicing my fake happy voice.

"A coffee is fine, thanks." She turns around to go have a seat at a table positioned in the middle of the window.

When I take her order to the table, she asks me if I want to sit with her. Since there are no other costumers I can't seem to decline, so I take te chair across from her.

There is a lot of small talk coming out of her mouth, but I can sense she needs to get something off of her chest. When I'm ready to burst from anticipation, she gets to the point.

"Dannii. I'm here because I need to tell you something. I was going to say something at the funeral. But that would have been to hurtful." She sighs. "I'm not an awful person, Dannii! I'm not!"

My face does the opposite of what I'm feeling, which is smile. Yet I feel a heavy pit in my stomach, nesteling deep. Making me nauseous. I have no idea what she's about to say. But the way this intro is going, I don't think it's anything good.

"I am pregnant!" I squeeze my eyes at her.

Huh?

"Congratulations?"

"It's Cole's!"

Why would she say that?

"Nooooo." is all I can say. Is she for real? She spoke at his funeral. We talked...

"My husband and I can't have kids. Well, he can't have kids apparently." She picks her nails, embarrassed to even look at me. "Cole and I had a sexual relationship in Syria. Just sex! I love my husband very deeply." she points out.

"Oh well, then it's aaaaaall ok then!" I try to keep calm, but I want to smash her head against this nice round flower painted table. "How long was this going on?" I try to focus.

"That doesn...."

"How long!" my voice booms through the shop.

"Four months." Jo whispers, tears running down her face.

"So the extra tour..." Was all so he could be with her. "Get out!" I yell, not bothering to look at her.

"Get out!" I say in my most calm voice possible. I'm going to kill her if she doesn't go!

Frozen in my seat I sit there for a while. Everything I ever thought, or felt about Cole is just ...

Fake!

When Jackie walks in, she immediately knows. Shit hit the ... well everything.

I tell her all about the love story from hell. When I'm finished she looks at me, shock written all over her body. For a few seconds we  sit there numb from the world.

"He called dibs on you!" She blurts out.

"Dibs?" This is getting better by the minute. Hand me some popcorn, this is the soap of the century. And I get to live it!

"Ben was in love with you. I mean, Love at first sight kind of Love!" Jackie bites her lip and takes a big long breather.

Come on spill it woman, you've come this far!

"But Cole called dibs on you, so Ben had to back off."

"What?"

Ben just gave me up for a stupid kids game?

"He fought him for it, but you know how skinny Ben was back then."

Yes, thats a great excuse!

"And you knew. My best friend...And you never cared to tell me!" I push out the chair as I rise to stand. "Please don't talk to anyone about this! Not even Charlotte or Nick! I'm humiliated enough!"

I spin on my heals and leave Jackie alone in the empty shop.

Just when I thought things were getting better...

Tears splatter down on the steps as I run upstairs. I'm hurt, humiliated, betrayed, ashamed, furious, ... the list of feelings keeps on growing. I slam the door as I make up my mind.

This stops here!

Wouldn't wanna be near her right know, that's for sure! 🤬

What will be Danniis next move? 😳

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