Ann's pov
I got back from work late and for hours my thoughts were fixated on the events of the day,who was I kidding,..it was fixated on Andre,just him .
I didn't even realize I was calling Rachel until her name flashed on my screen.
I guess my subconsciousness knew she was the one I needed to talk to at the moment.
"Ann?" she answered, already alert. "It's already ten p.m.,what's up?,are you good?" she went on a rampage.
"I saw him," I said, pacing my living room, heels kicked off, jacket draped over a chair. "Andre,Andre Miller."
There was a pause. Then"Andre, Andre Stevons?"
"Yes Rachel,Andre the high school football captain and boyfriend," I confirmed. "The one that left me standing on prom night."
Rachel let out a slow, knowing breath. "Okay, start spilling babe."
I told her everything about Hawthorne Financial Group, how I entered the conference room to find him standing there in a tailored suit, about the way my heart had forgotten how to behave.
"He kept staring at me, just the way he did in highschool," I said quietly. "Like no time had passed and we were still hiding and flirting in the high school hallways".
She hummed. "That tracks,who would get over a beauty like you."she teased
"Rachel, this is dangerous," I said. "I just got my life back. I can't_"
"You can't what?" she cut in gently. "Feel something? Ann, you didn't cheat. You didn't betray anyone, besides it's been months since you had fun and if Andre the runaway prom date is who you want then go for it babe"
"That doesn't mean I should open old wounds."
"Or," she countered, "it means the universe is handing you closure. Or a second chance."
I laughed bitterly. "You always make it sound poetic."
"Because sometimes it is," she said. "And sometimes it's messy and real and worth the risk. You spent twelve years choosing stability over yourself. Maybe don't run this time."
After we hung up, I lay awake longer than I wanted to admit, Andre's smile replaying itself in my mind like a song I couldn't skip.
********
The next morning, my phone rang while I was reviewing emails.
"Unknown number"
I almost ignored it.
Almost.
"Hello?"
"Ann?" a familiar male voice spoke over the phone.
I closed my eyes. "Andre?"
"Yes, I'm glad you recognized my voice,I hope I'm not interrupting," he said. "I wasn't sure if you'd still have the same number."
"Some things don't change," I replied.
He chuckled softly. "I was wondering,or rather ,I was meaning to ask if you would like to have dinner tonight? Just to catch up."
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"Andre, I don't know if that's a good idea."
"I know," he said quickly. "And I won't pressure you. It's just that after yesterday, I realized how I wronged you and I would like to make amends if you'll let me."
"Don't you think it's 12 years late already for that?" I asked sharply.
"I know Ann,I tried reaching out after highschool,I did_"
"It's fine Andre, I'll think about it," I interrupted, whatever explanation he was trying to give would only end up reminding of how I felt abandoned and alone on prom night.
"Fair enough," he replied. "I'll text you the details. Just in case."
I stared at my phone long after the call ended.I didn't know what I was expecting, another call or maybe a text,but this time,not from Andre but from Leo,I really miss him.
I got out early from work,and by seven p.m, I was standing in front of my mirror, smoothing down a black dress that said casual but felt like a decision.
I arrived at the restaurant,a quiet, upscale place tucked away from the city's chaos ten minutes early. Andre was already there.
"You always were punctual," he said, standing as I approached.
"And you were always late, I'm surprised you're here already," I replied
Dinner unfolded easily, too easily if I must say,it was as if we had not spent the past twelve years apart.
We talked about college, careers, the paths we'd taken. He told me about moving cities, about ambition and regret.
I was proud of him,he was nothing but a degenerate in highschool and was only good at football,at some point I thought it was either he became a popular footballer or he'd end up on the streets.
"You were always going to be extraordinary," he said, watching me closely.
"And you were always going to leave," I replied before I could stop myself.
His smile faded slightly. "I didn't want to,I was just overwhelmed by my parents divorce and everything that was happening".
"Yeah,but you could have talked to me about it,rather than ditching me Andre"
"I know,but I wasn't brave enough ,and I'm sorry."
The honesty in his voice unraveled something in me.
As the wine flowed, the air shifted, his knee brushed mine,His hand lingering too long as he reached across the table and held my hands.
"You look beautiful," he said quietly.
"So do you," I admitted with a smile, trying to pry away from his eyes.
He leaned forward and before I could resist, the kiss happened before,soft at first,then deep.
With our tongues locked in,I was deep in the nostalgia of reuniting with my highschool sweetheart, maybe it was destiny afterall, maybe the divorce happened so I could meet him again,....but the moment was interrupted by a buzz from his phone
Andre pulled back, frowned and reached for the phone.
The screen lit up.
"Lydia đź’Ť" was displayed as the caller ID
My breath seized for a moment,'not this again ' I thought to myself
Andre turned the phone face down too quickly.
"Who's Lydia?" I asked, already knowing.
He hesitated.
The silence was enough.
I stood abruptly, chair scraping against the floor. " Don't tell me you're married Andre??"
"It's not what you think Ann,let me explain" he replied,but dishonesty was written all over him,he looked like a child who was caught stealing candy.
"Fuck you Andre!!"