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Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Caleb
Another two months later (5 months since the breakup)
My life has been stale and boring ever since I broke up with Leal. I know it was the right thing to do since I’m too old to be her man, but damn, it feels like all the light from my life left with her.
1…I miss Leah more than I would like to admit. So much that I think of her all the time. When I eat a sandwich with peanut butter, I remember how she used to tease me for eating them almost every morning. She called me a kid at heart. And when I hear love songs on the radio, I just imagine her singing along to them, so right now, I’m listening to nothing
“Mr. Steele?”
I glance up from my laptop to meet the eyes of my driver, Thomas, in the rearview mirror. “Yes?”
“Isn’t that Miss Foster?” he asks.
I follow his gaze out the window, and my heart nearly stops. There, on the sidewalk, is Leah. Her golden hair is hidden underneath a white winter hat, and she is wearing a blue winter jacket that she has to pull down again and again to cover her round stomach…wait. Did she gain weight? I don’t want to sound rude, but her stoinach looks huge.
“Is she pregnant?” I ask myself, and then, when I see Jeremy with her, my mood grows dark.
Jeremy stopped working for me recently to pursue his college dreams–was that just a lie to cover up the fact he knocked up Leah after the Tokyo trip? Just what is going on here? Did Leah already move on? I know I probably isn’t and wasn’t the love of her life, but damn, she chose to be with Jeremy, of all people? Really?
Jealousy bubbles up within me when I see the bastard place his hand on her back. She looks up at him, says something, and looks all teary–eyed. Fuck, here I am, sad after our breakup, and Leah is already out making a family?
Leah and Jeremy walk into a coffee shop, and since I’m too curious to let this go, I turn to face Thomas again
“You can drive home, but I’m going to get out of the car and stalk my ex–girlfriend,” I tell him. “I will call you when I need you to pick me up again.”
Thomas nods, and I step out of the car, slamming the door shut behind me. I’m wearing an expensive suit, and the cold winter air bites at my exposed skin, but I don’t care. All I can think about is Leah and Jeremy together.
Does Leah…love him?
I cross the street quickly, dodging the oncoming winter traffic, and push open the door to the coffee shop. The warm air and the scent of freshly brewed coffee engulf me, but the only thing on my mind is to find Leah.
I spot her sitting at a table in the corner with Jeremy and wait… Why is Jereky kissing another woman while Leaks on her phone? What the actual fuck? Isn’t she pregnant with HIS child? Now I’m even more confused….
I continue looking at the trio, but even though I want to storm over there, I can’t. I’m not THAT crazy.
Instead, I look up to study what special coffee I can order this time of year. Hmm, should I get the peppermint mocha or the gingerbread latte?
I decide on the latte and glance over at Leah and Jeremy’s table while it’s being made. Leah is clearly pregnant. No way
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Chapter 38
e only gei big around the belly if she had gained weight for another reason. But what throws me off is that the
seems completely unfazed by Jeremy kissing another woman right in front of her.
But who knows, perhaps she just accepted Jeremy won’t be with her? At least he is with her now, which means he will probably be open to paying child support-
“Sir, your order is ready.”
men
The barista’s words snap me out of my thoughts, and I give her hasty smile. “Thank you.”
As I walk through the shop with my latte, I steal another glance at Leah. This time, she looks up and I swear the room grows
a little hotter.
The chemistry is still there and for a moment, I consider walking up to her.
But I don’t have the balls to act like a crazy ex since I care too much about appearances.
Instead, we stare at each other, frozen in place like two strangers Her blue eyes, however, are filled with emotions: sadness, love, admiration, and what looks like regret before she quickly looks away.
I frown to myself. Maybe it was a bad idea to come here? It obviously hurts Leah to see me, and when I take a seat by an empty table in the corner, I’m grateful I’m not in her direct line of sight since seeing me more than she has to would probably hurt her even more.
Sighing, I pick up my phone to busy myself with reading the news, but look when someone pulls out a chair by my table. Im hoping to see Leah’s face, but it’s another woman–a pretty red–headed stranger who is wearing an expensive winter coat that hugs her slim body.
She smiles at me apologetically. “I’m sorry, is this seat taken?”
I squint at the lady. “You’re already sitting down by my table so why bother asking if the seat is taken when you already so rudely took it?”
The woman’s smile falters, clearly taken aback by my rude response. “I’m sorry,” she says, standing up quickly. “I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just that the cafe is so crowded, and there aren’t any other seats available.”
I glance around and realize she’s right. Every other table is occupied, and there’s a line of people waiting to order at the counter. I feel a twinge of guilt for snapping at her.
“No, I’m sorry,” I say, gesturing for her to sit back down. “I’m just having a rough day. Please, have a seat.”
She hesitates for a moment before sitting down again, giving meja cautious smile. “Thank you. I’m Sarah, by the way.”
“Caleb,” I reply, taking a sip of my coffee. It’s bitter and hot, but barely notice. My eyes are still drawn to Leah’s table, where she seems to be deep in conversation with Jeremy and the other woman.
Sarah follows my gaze, her brow furrowing. “Do you know them” she asks.
I tear my eyes away from Leah and focus on Sarah “The blonde woman is my ex–girlfriend.”
Sarah blinks in surprise. “Really? Isn’t she like…a teenager? No offense, I mean you look wealthy as fuck, and you have the appearance of someone who could be a GQ model, but that girl
I immediately grow defensive–probably since I’m still madly in love with Leah. “What about her?”
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“Nothing just that she can’t be older than eighteen.”
회사 67%
I let out a heavy sigh. “She is eighteen, actually. And yes, the age difference was part of the reason we broke up. But seeing her now, pregnant and with another man… it’s just a lot to process.”
Sarah nods sympathetically. “I can only imagine. Breakups are never easy, especially when you still have feelings for the other person.
I don’t respond, my eyes drifting back to Leah. She’s laughing now, her head thrown back in that carefree way I always loved. The sight makes my heart ache.
“You know,” Sarah says gently, pulling my attention back to her, sometimes the best way to move on is to focus on yourself. Find new hobbies, meet new people.”
I meet her gaze, surprised by how bluntly she said the last part. “Are you flirting with me?”
She shrugs, a rueful smile on her lips. “Maybe?” there’s a pause before she adds, “Is that bad?”
I chuckle. “Nothing wrong with flirting, but I’m clearly not over my ex–I might not be the best guy to flirt with.”
“Ah, you will get over your ex,” she grins. “And you know what? I’m willing to be the woman that helps you stop dwelling on
getover the past.”
“That so?”
“Mhm,” her grin grow. “Any chance you’re willing to take me up on that offer instead of spying on your ex?”
I chuckle, surprised by her forwardness. “You know what, Sarah might just take you up on than offer.”
“Great!”
Sarah looks happier than a child on Christmas, and seeing her grin actually makes me happy. I love how happy she is, and before I know it, we are animatedly chatting. It’s weird how easy it is to talk with Sarah. I didn’t think I would ever get over Leah, but I’m actually willing to let Sarah in.
Does this mean I’m ready to move on?
Eventually, Sarah glances at her watch and stands up. “I should get going. It was really nice meeting you, Caleb.”
“You too, Sarah. Thanks again for the talk.”
Sarah leaves the coffee shop, but I’m not empty–handed since her number is in my phone.
“Maybe I should give Sarah a call later?” I ask myself, and let’s be honest: it’s probably a great idea.
Sarah is funny, intelligent, and in her thirties–not just eighteen like Leah–but perhaps the most important thing is that she is not pregnant with another man’s child like my ex.
So, new love interest? I think yes.
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Chapter 39
Chapter 39
