Another reunion?

PAIGE 

I'm going to lose my mind.

My office chair squeaks as I lean back and stare at the ceiling. The clock on my computer says 2:47 PM. It said 2:15 PM like five hours ago. Time is moving backwards just to torture me.

I pick up a pencil. Sharpen it. Put it down. Pick up another one. Sharpen it too.

I have twelve perfectly sharpened pencils now. I don't even use pencils. I type everything.

My phone buzzes. Again.

Haruto: Thinking about you. Can I see you tonight?

That's the tenth text since this morning. He's been texting by the hour. Good morning texts. Lunch texts. Random thinking-of-you texts. It's sweet. It's overwhelming. It's everything I wanted six years ago.

But Marcus.

I haven't replied to his text. I don't know what to say. Hey, thanks for reaching out after a year of silence. Also, my first love just reappeared. Also, I'm confused. Also, help.

I stare at his message again. I want to try again. For real this time.

What does that even mean?

The door to my office bursts open. Sadie stands there, eyes wild, breathing hard.

"Come with me." She grabs my arm.

"What? Where? Sadie, I'm working—"

"Follow. Now." She yanks me out of my chair.

I stumble after her, still holding a pencil. "Sadie, seriously, where are we going?"

She doesn't answer. Just drags me down the hall toward the elevator.

"Sadie—"

"Wait and see."

She presses the button. The elevator takes forever. I bounce on my heels, watching her face. She's grinning. Why is she grinning?

"Sadie. Tell me."

"Nope."

The doors open. She pulls me inside. Presses the lobby button.

"Sadie, I swear to god—"

"You'll thank me later."

I grip the pencil so hard it might snap. The elevator descends. My reflection stares back at me from the shiny doors. 

I look confused. Because I am.

The doors open. Sadie grabs my wrist and pulls me through the lobby. Past security. Toward the front doors.

"Sadie, where—"

She pushes the door open and shoves me outside.

I freeze.

Marcus stands there.

In front of my building.

With flowers.

A huge bouquet of roses and something white and delicate mixed in. He's wearing a blue suit that matches his eyes. Sandy brown hair catches the sun. He's smiling. Nervous. Hopeful.

My mouth falls open. I turn to Sadie.

She's grinning so wide her face might split.

"Oh. My. God." The words come out like air.

Sadie pats my shoulder. "Told you. Interesting."

She walks away. Back inside. Leaving me here. With Marcus. And flowers.

And absolutely no idea what to say.

I stare at him. Marcus. Standing there with flowers like he stepped out of my memories.

My hand comes up to cover my mouth. I can't help it. He looks good. Really good. Sandy brown hair a little longer than I remember. Blue eyes bright in the afternoon sun. That suit probably costs more than my monthly rent.

He walks toward me slowly. Like he's not sure I'll let him get close.

"Hi." His voice is soft. Nervous.

"Hi." I sound breathless. Great.

"How are you?" He stops a few feet away. Close enough to see.

"I'm fine." I grip the pencil still in my hand. "You?"

"I'm fine." He laughs a little. "No, that's a lie. I'm nervous. Really nervous."

I almost smile. That's honest. I appreciate honest.

"Did you see my text?" he asks.

"I did."

He takes a breath. Like he's steadying himself. "Paige, I'm sorry. I know it's been over a year. I know I messed up. I chose the wrong thing. Business over you. My family over you. And I've regretted it every single day."

I open my mouth but nothing comes out.

"I really love you." His voice cracks on the word love. "I never stopped. And I want you back. I want to try again. For real this time. No family drama. No choosing work over you. Just... us."

He stops. Looks down at his hands. Seems to realize he's still holding the flowers.

"Oh." He holds them out to me. "These are for you. Obviously."

I take them. They're beautiful. Roses and white flowers I don't know the name of. They smell like spring.

"I like them," I say. And I do. "They're really pretty."

He smiles. That smile I remember. The one that made me fall for him in the first place.

"I didn't reply because I didn't know what to say." The words tumble out. "I still don't know. But I... I do want to try. Part of me does."

Who am I kidding? I can't tell him no. Look at him. Standing here with flowers and his heart on his sleeve.

But Haruto.

Haruto's texts sit unread on my phone. Haruto wants to see me tonight. Haruto is blocks away, probably waiting for my reply.

Marcus looks around like he just noticed where we are. The office building. People walking past. Security watching from inside.

"You're still working," he says. "It's still work hours. I didn't think—" He runs a hand through his hair. "Can I take you to dinner? Tonight? Just to talk. Nothing pressure. Just dinner."

I think about it.

I could go to dinner. Hear him out. Let him down slowly if I need to. Then go back to Haruto tonight. That could work.

No.

I'm lying to myself.

I want them both. That's the problem. That's the thing I can't say out loud.

But wanting two people is impossible. Right? People don't do that. People choose.

"I can pick you up at seven," he says. "If you want."

I nod before I can stop myself. "Okay."

His face lights up. "Okay? Really?"

"Yeah." I grip the flowers tighter. "Okay."

"Seven. I'll be here at seven." He starts backing away, grinning. Then stops. Waves. Awkward. Because we don't wave. That's not what we do.

I wave back. Equally awkward.

He turns and walks toward his car. I stand there holding flowers, watching him go.

When he's gone, I stare at the roses. Smile like an idiot. Then head inside.

Sadie's waiting by the elevator. Grinning.

"Well?"

I hold up the flowers.

"I saw that." She bounces on her heels. "Dinner?"

"Seven tonight."

"Oooo

h." She grabs my arm as we step into the elevator. "Paige is going on a date. With an ex. Who's hot. This is—"

"Interesting." I finish her sentence. "I know."

The doors close.

My life really took an intersection turn. And I had no idea which way to go.