Escaping Love (Rewrite) [Book #1]

Chapter 56

|| CHARLOTTE ||

|| Friday, May 29th ||

"Hey, babe?" Jackie asked after finishing the dishes.

"Yeah," I answered, packing my lunch for today.

"What time are you coming home from work?"

"4:00 PM. Why?"

"Good. Well, I thought after everything that went on for the past two weeks, I wanted to take you out. On a date."

"A date?" I asked, turning around to face her, looking amused as she grabbed her backpack.

We exited the apartment and walked to our cars that parked next to each other. "Yes. A date. I'll pick you up at 6:00 PM."

"Picking me up? Babe, we live together," I smiled.

"I know," Jackie said. When we got to our cars, she turned to me and smiled. "Oh, can you wear the dress that I bought you after our marriage?" I knew which one she was talking about. "It would be lovely to see you wear it again, you know, after that night."

She kissed my cheek and walked over to her car and got inside. I watched her leave first, and I smiled to myself before getting into my own and driving behind her.

~~~<>~~~<>~~~<>~~~

"Knock, knock." I looked up from my workspace and saw Carmen entering my room.

"How are you?" I asked, realizing the last period was over.

"Good. I thought I'd check-in to see how you were doing."

"Everything is fine," I smiled before turning back to the computer and saving the entered grades. "Thanks for asking. It's sweet you've been checking up on me since Monday. I assure you, I am okay."

"I was also wondering if you wanted to get some coffee in a bit?" She asked. "I thought you might like someone to talk to about everything."

"I can't, I have to be home in an hour," I said, trying to keep a straight face. "Maybe Sunday?"

She slowly nodded, "Yeah, sure. Well, I'll let you finish up everything that you're doing. I'll see you Sunday. Noon at the coffee shop?"

"Yeah, that sounds perfect," I smiled before Carmen left my classroom. I stared at the door, letting out a sigh.

When 4:00 PM came, I walked out of school and drove home. Of course, when I arrived in the apartment, Jackie wasn't there. Her car wasn't in the parking lot, either. I decided to shower and finish up a few more grades, and when it was 5:30 PM, I sighed, knowing I should start getting ready.

I stood inside our bedroom, zipping up the black floral patterned dress. I looked at the time, and it was almost 6:00 PM. I smiled as I found my silver earrings and matching necklace. I took a few minutes to stare at the dress in the mirror.

I can't say that it doesn't bring back painful memories from the event, but I was shocked this morning that she did notice what I was wearing that night.

I took my purse, and I heard a knock on the door when Jackie said she'd be here. I saw Jackie turn around as I open it. She smiled at me, and I drank in her sight. I stood in awestruck, admiring the outfit she wore in front of me.

Jackie's black hair hung down in light, bouncy curls near the ends. She wore a tight, navy blue strapless dress that stopped above her knees. She had on her black ankle-strapped stilettos and held a black clutch purse.

"Wow," I said. Now I know how Jackie felt when she saw me in my burgundy dress back during the New Year's party.

"Hi," she said.