A raised eyebrow from my boss. “Oh?” “Things were just happening around me. Now, however, I’m the one who’s making things happen, and that alone is important to me.” Derek puts down his beer bottle, crossing his arms over his large, muscular chest. God, what would it feel like to tou
“How have you lived here with your shit all over the place?” Lily groans as she rifles through a box left on the ground. “I don’t know where anything is!” “I’ve been figuring it out,” I say as I walk into my bathroom to Annie. “Girl, you need to clean this place up. What are you wait
We walk into a different bar than we tend to frequent. This one’s called Joe’s Bar, which supposedly specializes in margaritas. We walk in and see lights hung up everywhere and music blasting. “This is so much!” I shout, barely hearing my own voice over the music and voices. The room is just
I hold out a hand, beckoning to the empty seats. “If you want to chat, you can stay a little bit. My friends won’t mind.” In truth, the second they see the ginger sit down, they start celebrating together, while I roll my eyes. “I’m Archer,” he introduces, holding out a hand to me.
I blink hard at what Derek’s said to me. He’s got to be joking, right? He must be! “Did you just claim that no man in this entire bar would want to go out with me?” I press, scrutinizing Derek for his attitude. He shrugs, leaning in closer to me. “Do you really believe any of the men
“I think,” I say back. “That Ryan is selfish and only cares about what’s best for him. He dropped divorce papers on our anniversary. Who thinks to do that?” Derek seems to consider this question, which isn’t a hard one to answer. “He didn’t ever deserve you, Esme,” my boss replies so
“I cannot believe Derek interrupted your conversation!” Annie shrieks when Derek leaves the bar. “He was so jealous!” “I don’t think it was jealousy, Annie,” I retort, getting down from the seat. Derek tried to pay for my drink, though it was just water. Out of all the people in my life who
But at the same time, he doesn’t have to worry about if he can take care of his kid. He’s already proven he doesn’t need their mother. I will do this without Ryan. But the question remains: can I do this? The ultrasound starts making a noise as the machine touches and slowly moves ar
I decide to call Detective Mattison, even though it’s a Saturday. I haven’t heard anything still, and now I’m starting to grow more curious and annoyed. “Detective Mattison,” he greets. “Hi, detective, this is Esme Price, the woman who’s divorce and restraining order cases came across your desk
Bea’s party ends up being a nice time. I chat with multiple other adults at the event, mostly the coworkers, and meet the kids running around. The kids sing Happy Birthday to Bea, and she blows out the candles to her pink cake. The presents are also super cute, ranging from stuffed animals to chil
“Me, too.” I look back at Derek, then at his daughter again. “You know what? Your dad has your gift from me. You want to open it now so none of the other kids get jealous?” Bea’s face lights up, and she picks up on my silliness. “Can I, Daddy?” He hands back the bag. “Your birthday, baby. What
“Oh, like drugs,” I tease. “You caught me. Setting up for kid’s birthday party is like crack. I don’t let others watch me, and it gives me the same type of high.” I can’t stop myself from snorting a laugh out. “Didn’t realize how much I missed that.” I’m still smiling, though confused by wha
Bea’s birthday party is happening at the local park of the town. They’ve cornered off a gazebo, with multiple picnic tables under the roof of the area. Presents sit stacked on two of them, taller than any of the kids. Derek and Tris are at the table with the cake and snacks. “Miss Esme!” Tris cr
“This is Esme,” I speak robotically, getting ready for whatever I need to be doing. **** The end of the day finally comes, and I grab everything that I can bring home with me. I want to catch up with everything and put my feet up. Even in these flats, my swelling is still a problem. Not only t
Monday morning, I awake to texts and phone calls all from Ryan. I’d blocked his number, but each message comes from another phone, totaling four different possible burner phones. “Why?” I ask the ceiling as though it’ll answer me. Today I’ll be going back to the office. I’ve grown stir crazy in
This can’t be good for the baby. Next thing I know, I hear ringing in my head. My eyes are super weak, and it’s difficult to crack them open. Well then. I guess I was able sleep after all. It’s bright in the room, and I can tell it’s late morning already. My tired eyes look around, finding my ph
I fall to a thunk on the ground, my hip and butt taking the brunt from falling out of my bed. My eyes are still mostly closed, but I know what’s going on. The nightmares are here once again. I know the cold sweat and the feeling of being clammy. And it seems like it’s all falling back to one thing