Abby The once golden glow of the candles seems dull now. The shadows in the room stretch longer, a stark contrast to the beautifully set table, pristine and untouched. The wine, once poured with anticipation, sits still, a silent witness to my growing anxiety. The aroma of the truffle oil, once
Abby The weight of loneliness presses down on me as the pristine table setting lies untouched. The absence of Adam’s presence burns more than any verbal rebuke ever could. Frustration bubbles within me as I glare at the untouched plates of food, each dish meticulously crafted to symbolize the dee
I’m mid-way through this cathartic—albeit wasteful—process when an idea, perhaps influenced by the wine, hits me. “Karl,” I say aloud, the name acting like a beacon in the fog of my anger. Karl had always been different—reliable, true to his word. He’s an asshole, but in those ways, he’s the c
Abby The clinking of wine glasses fills the room as I lead Karl into my living room, gesturing toward the elegantly set dining table. “See?” I say, pointing out the various dishes, which I’ve rewarmed in the oven since I called Karl. “It’s almost restaurant-worthy.” “Almost?” He whistles appre
“I knew that you wanted this, Abby,” he murmurs. “I know you’ve missed me. Adam can’t hold a candle to what you and I had.” My heart wrenches; Karl is right. The wetness between my legs only further proves that point. I want Karl, want to relive what we felt for each other before, want to make my
Karl The sting of rejection pulses through me, acute and raw, as I distance myself from Abby’s place. My footsteps echo through the quiet city streets, the usual hustle and bustle of the nightlife seemingly dimmed tonight. Each step aligns with the rapid beat of my heart. I can’t shake the
Abby Pushing the restaurant’s door open, I’m immediately enveloped by the scent of fresh bread and brewing coffee. The day beckons, promising a hustle that I’m both dreading and anticipating. Each wooden table is adorned with a fresh bunch of flowers, the gentle hum of the morning preparations
That elicits a soft chuckle from me. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” Karl hesitates for a moment, as if weighing his words. “Look, about Adam…” I raise a hand, cutting him off. “Let’s not, okay? I appreciate the concern, but I’d rather focus on today. We’ve got a brunch crowd to wow.” His