Victoria's POV I was sitting on Alice's comfortable couch, my legs tucked under me, trying to focus on the movie we were watching. It was a Friday night and we were supposed to go out but none of us felt like it. The once balmy evenings were becoming crisp and cool, and the air held a distinct chill. It was a clear sign that autumn was giving way to winter, and the transition was unmistakable. People walking around the town had noticed the colder breeze blowing through the streets, and they had started wrapping themselves up in their jackets or scarves to keep warm. We didn’t feel like dealing with the elements so we decided to have a movie night at Alice’s, a tradition that was very near and dear to my heart, but with wine. We decided to go with one of my favorites, ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’. Julia Roberts' performance in that movie was absolutely genius. I was so excited to watch it but my mind kept drifting to Aaron. He had asked me to be his girlfriend earlier that day, and I w
Caleb's POVAs I drove back to Phoenix, I kept playing the conversation that Victoria and I had just had over and over again in my mind. When I walked into our house, I hadn’t expected to find her there. She looked great! Her skin was glowing and despite the huge streak of flour that she had somehow managed to get on her face, she looked beautiful. I was surprised at the amount of compassion that she had shown me. She was right, I deserved better. If this was happening to any of my loved ones I would not stop until they got out of the toxic relationship they were in. Why couldn’t I maintain the same standards for myself?I was going to break up with Brianna.It’s what I needed to do. the moment that I realised that I was filled with a sense of calm. All the turmoil that had plagued my mind was suddenly silenced. I knew I was making the right decision.I pulled over at the side of the road to make a call. She picked up almost immediately.“Hello, my love!” Brianna said excitedly.Thr
Victoria's POVIt had been a week since I talked to Caleb. He was coming home for the weekend and in true family Tradition, my mom decided to throw a family dinner. It had been a while since we had all been together and for once, I wasn’t completely dreading it. I can't express how relieved I felt now that Caleb and I had patched things up. It was such a weight off my shoulders to know that we're back on good terms. At first, I thought that he would be mad and blame me for everything. I felt like I was at the center of everything that happened between him and Brianna.I was the one who informed him that she was a bully which is ultimately what got this ball rolling and ultimately, I am the one that told him to break up with Brianna. Admittedly I had not expected him to take my advice. In the past, he had gone against everything I had said about Brianna so I was genuinely shocked. I was even more shocked when he called a truce between us. I said yes without any hesitation at all. I w
Caleb's POVI never thought I would be in this position. I always thought I was stronger than this, that I could handle anything that life threw my way. But when Brianna walked out of my life, it was like the floor fell out from under me. I was left with this deep sense of emptiness that I couldn't seem to shake.I never thought I'd be one of those guys who would have a hard time getting over an ex, but here I am. It's been a month since Brianna and I broke up, and I still can't seem to shake her from my mind. Every time I saw a reminder of her, whether it be a photo or a song, my chest tightened and my heart ached. I knew I shouldn't let her have this hold on me especially since it was her fault that we weren’t together anymore, but I couldn't help it.She was my first love, and the pain of losing her is still too fresh. I tried to focus on work, on my friends, on anything that could distract me from the pain. But every time I saw her or heard her name, it was like a knife to the hea
Victoria's POV“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” I muttered to myself over and over as I walked.I was in such a hurry to get out of that house, I had tripped myself over the stairs and almost fell but I didn’t slow down. I just wanted to get out of that house as fast as possible. Caleb had kissed me. Caleb Stallone had actually kissed me. on the lips. I was freaking out. I didn’t know what to do. I pulled out my phone and dialed the number of the one person who knew would help me in this situation. I just prayed she wasn’t too busy.“Hello!'' Alice said cheerfully immediately she answered the phone.“Code Red.”Those were the only words that I could manage to string together at that moment but luckily, they were enough.“I’ll be right there.”I got to the guest house and locked the door behind me as if to keep out the memory of what had just happened. I took deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself down.“It didn’t mean anything. It was probably just a sick joke,” I tried to convince myself.Fift
Caleb's POVIt's been two weeks since I kissed Victoria, and she's been radio silent. Two long, agonizing weeks. Not a single text, call, or email. I feel terrible for what I did, and I knew I probably ruined our friendship. But I hoped that after I apologized, she would forgive me and we would move past it.Days passed, and I tried to give her space. But every day that went by without hearing from her, I felt worse. I missed her, I missed our conversations, our jokes, our shared memories. I couldn't stop thinking about how stupid I had been, how I had risked everything for a moment of weakness.I tried to distract myself with work and other activities, but nothing seemed to help. Every time my phone buzzed, my heart would race, hoping it was Victoria. But it was never her.One day, I couldn't take it anymore. I drove to Sedona after work and went to the guest house, hoping she would be there.I found myself standing outside, staring up at her door. I had driven there without even thi
Victoria's POVIt was a lazy Saturday and my girls were with me. It was the perfect end to a busy week. I had so much work to do that week. The people at the coffee shop had already moved out and I had started renovations in the space. I met with a designer to nail down a theme. I have gotten suggestions from so many places.Aaron had even suggested that I make everything sultry with different shades of dark earth tones just so it would give my storefront a more sophisticated vibe but I wasn’t sure that was what I wanted. I didn’t want anyone to feel like they shouldn’t go into my store because they would not fit in.I wanted the exact opposite of that which is why I chose a springtime theme with brightly colored pastels. I wanted it to look whimsical and happy; like something out of a children’s book. I had met with Mrs. Pullman who had recently closed her bakery about buying her equipment. The meeting went relatively well except for how she kept ‘jokingly’ saying that I drove her
Caleb's POVIt took everything in me not to turn back and go to her. Tori looked so beautiful tonight. When I arrived at the party I spotted her talking to Melissa and my dad. She took my breath away. Everything about her outfit complimented her. “Aaron is a lucky man,” Eric said beside me, effectively startling me. I hadn’t heard him coming.“Don’t creep up on me dude.”“What? Is it too much for your old heart to handle?” “I’m only two years older than you dude. You need to calm down,” I said as I ruffled his hair. Gloria came up to where I was standing. She looked very pregnant but it suited her so well, she was practically glowing. “What are we talking about boys? Tori? Has she talked to you since you kissed her?” she asked. I turned to look at Eric who didn’t even bother trying to look guilty. He shrugged his shoulders and said, “Don’t look at me. I told you I would tell her.”I sighed and said, “No, I haven’t talked to her and I don’t think I will.”“What? Why?" Eric asked.