Blair’s POVWe continued talking and then he asked for my name.“I’m Blair and you?” I asked.“James,” he replied to me curtly.“Wow, it was nice meeting you James and thanks for listening to me tonight, it really means a lot to me,” I said to him.“It’s my pleasure, Blair,” he replied to me.“And you look so good by the way,” he added.And then he surprised me with a compliment. I thought to myself that it could be a sign that he was interested in getting to know me better.I flirted back, complimenting his looks as well. “Ohhh, well you are not looking bad as well, handsome James,” I replied to him with a smile. He only nodded his head and continued sipping his drink. I also focused on my drink as well and just then, things got a bit out of hand. I started feeling the effects of the alcohol - feeling tipsy. James, looking out for you, told me to slow down on the drinking but that wasn't the best idea though, because instead of listening, I decided to keep going and even finished the
Amelia's POVThe silence stretched on, a charged space filled with the unspoken words that hung heavy in the air. I could feel the warmth radiating off of Eddie as he sat close, his presence a tangible thing. Every fiber of my being wanted to lean in, to bridge the gap between us and explore the emotions bubbling just beneath the surface."Amelia," Eddie finally began, his voice low and hesitant, breaking the comfortable silence. "About Alex's offer…"My gaze darted away from his, a flicker of indecision clouding my eyes. Alex's offer of a fresh start in Paris had seemed like a welcome escape hatch just moments ago. Now, with Eddie's hand reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair behind my ear, the appeal seemed to have dimmed considerably."Yes?" I prompted, forcing a lightness into my voice that I didn't quite feel."Have you… have you given it any more thought?""Some," I admitted, the truth tasting bittersweet on my tongue. "He called me, you know. He offered me a position as h
Blair's POVThrowing the covers off, I fumbled for my clothes, scattered haphazardly across the floor. My dress, thankfully, was salvageable. I threw it on, wincing at the sharp sting in my ankle from the forgotten blister heel I'd insisted on wearing.Just as I reached the bedroom door, the sound of clattering dishes reached my ears. My stomach lurched. He was awake.Taking a deep breath, I crept towards the door, hoping to slip out unnoticed. But the aroma of frying bacon and freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, stopping me dead in my tracks. My stomach, traitorously empty after a night of liquid courage, rumbled loudly.The sound seemed to echo through the quiet apartment. I winced, bracing myself for the inevitable confrontation."There you are," a cheerful voice boomed from the kitchen. "Sleeping beauty has finally awakened."I peeked through the doorway, my cheeks burning. James stood by the counter, a spatula in hand, a playful smile on his face. He was dressed in a si
Blair's POVHe chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. "So, coffee it is then. Tell me more about this oncology residency. What made you choose that path?"I hesitated, surprised by his genuine interest. Most people's eyes glazed over when I mentioned the specifics of my job. But something about James, his easy demeanor and quiet attentiveness, made me want to share."It wasn't always the plan," I confessed, taking a long sip of coffee. "I actually started out pre-med with the intention of going into pediatrics. But then my best friend's mom, who's just like a mom to me got ill and I..." I shrugged, not wanting to think about how painful it had been for both Amelia and I to find out about Mom's cancer.and I just got swept up in the fight," I finished. "Seeing the way the oncologist explained things to her, the way she gave Mom hope, even in the face of something so terrifying… It inspired me. I wanted to be on that side of the equation, fighting for people's lives."James listened inte
Blair's POVI hesitated for a beat, the memory of Thomas' betrayal still a fresh wound. But then I looked at James, at his genuine smile and kind eyes. Maybe, just maybe, it was okay to take a chance, to explore something new, even if it scared me a little."Deal," I said, a small smile gracing my lips. "But no pressure. Just getting to know someone who doesn't need a biopsy on their first date sounds pretty good right now."He threw his head back and laughed again, the sound washing over me like a warm wave. In that moment, surrounded by the aroma of coffee and the unexpected warmth of his laughter, it felt like a sliver of hope had peeked through the cracks of my heartbreak. The tension in the air seemed to dissipate with our laughter, replaced by a comfortable camaraderie. We finished our breakfast in companionable silence, the clinking of silverware and the soft murmur of the radio the only sounds.As I pushed back from the table, the weight of reality settled back in. I had a shi
Amelia's POVBlair launched into a detailed account of how she had found out that Thomas had been cheating on her with Sandra and the fight that came after, her voice filled with a raw mix of anger and hurt. My heart ached for her. This wasn't just a simple break-up; it was a shattering of trust and a future they'd both envisioned.As she spoke, I threw off the covers and shuffled towards the kitchen, the phone tucked between my ear and shoulder.By the time I poured myself a steaming cup of coffee and grabbed a bagel, Blair had finished recounting the fight. Now, a hesitant note had crept into her voice as she explained the one-night stand. She told me about the club, the overwhelming pain, and the chance encounter with this guy named James.I walked back to my room, carrying my bagel and coffee in both hands with my phone between my ear and my shoulder. "I know, I know," she said, anticipating my reaction. "It wasn't me. But I just… I don't know, Amelia. Maybe I just needed an esca
Amelia's POVI feigned a gasp, clutching my chest dramatically. "A monster? Here? On a bright Sunday morning?"Chloe, undeterred by my theatrics, nodded sagely. "Monsters don't have calendars, silly. They can come anytime.""True, true," I conceded. "But fear not, brave adventurer, for Aunt Amelia is here to protect you."She looked at me like she did not believe me, scanning my body with an adorable wrinkle on her face and making me chuckle. Suddenly, there was a yell from the kitchen just as the smoke alarm started ringing. Chloe and I took one look at each other before rushing downstairs. I got to the kitchen and saw Eddie frantically waving a towel at a burning pan. He was swearing like a teenager who just learned about cuss words for the first time. He was surrounded by a cloud of smoke at the stove and fanning it with his hand.“AH! Amelia! Help!” He was still swatting at the smoking pan.I push by him and pick up the pan. He had already turned off the burner, and nothing wa
Amelia's POVThe rest of the morning unfolded in a flurry of activity. Eddie managed to salvage some pancake batter, which we transformed into a passable (if slightly smoky-flavored) breakfast. Chloe, thrilled with the idea of a movie marathon, helped with decorating the living room with colorful blankets and plush toys. By the time we settled in on the couch, a mountain of popcorn nestled between us, Chloe snuggled between Eddie and me, the earlier tension had evaporated.As the opening credits of a Disney movie rolled on the screen, I found myself stealing a glance at Eddie. He was completely absorbed in the film, occasionally whispering funny commentary that made Chloe erupt in giggles. There was a tenderness in his expression, a genuine love for his daughter that warmed my heart. It was a side of him I hadn't seen often during our college days, when ambition had been his driving force.A pang shot through me, a reminder of the unspoken complications swirling beneath the surface of