It was Saturday afternoon. Deana was with her family for a birthday, so she was basically radio static as far as texts. 

He knew Michele had weekends off now, so didn’t feel like getting a tea. It wasn’t super cold, but it wouldn’t be too warm out, either. He wanted to get out of his apartment, if you could call it that, so he opted for a smoothie and some Chinese food to take home. 

He got a green tea smoothie, something that at least seemed healthy. He walked to his new favorite Chinese place, ordering enough food to feed an army, especially the hot and sour soup. As he waited for his order, a woman bumped into him. 

“I’m so sorry… oh, Justin,” she said. 

He knew that voice. The soft warmth it made him feel. He turned around. It was Jessica. He smiled awkwardly, his stomach in knots. 

“How are you?” she started. “Oh, right, your vocal cords. Well, you look great.”

He blushed a little, looking down to avoid eye contact. That’s when he saw it. A definite baby bump. His heart sank. 

“Yeah, had a craving for Chinese and this was the closest place, I need something to spoil myself a bit.  It was good to see you…”

He nodded sheepishly as she walked in further to order. He took his food and slowly walked home, his head down. 

I’d be lying if I said I had all but forgotten about her, but the first time I see her in a LONG time, and she’s pregnant. Good thing I got a lot of food, I kinda want to eat my feelings right now. I fucked up. That could be MY kid, if I hadn’t been so stupid. 

He got up to his place, sat down, turned on the TV, and started to mindlessly eat. 

His phone buzzed. He smiled, figuring it was Deana. 

It was good seeing you today. I hope things are going well. Jess

She still had his number after all that time. He wanted to smile, but clearly she’d moved on. Should I text her back? he wondered. Would it be rude if I didn’t? 

He sighed heavily. Yeah, things are pretty good, all things considered. Congratulations, on the baby. 

Yeah, Alex and I are pretty excited. Pretty much as soon as we finished our honeymoon, we were pregnant. 

Married with a kid on the way. Justin, you IDIOT, that could’ve been YOU, he thought, mentally kicking himself. 

Are you seeing anyone? she asked. 

Yeah, actually. We just met a month ago, so it’s still pretty new. 

Well, if she makes you happy, then that’s great. It was good seeing you, I hope you feel better soon. Hoping this woman makes you happy, you deserve it, in spite of what happened with us. 

Thanks. Congrats again on the husband and baby. 

He put his phone down. He really wanted a drink, but knew alcohol was off limits for a while. He picked his phone back up. 

Hey Trace, I need to talk to you…

What’s up?

I saw Jess today…

Shit, man, I’m sorry. 

She looked great. She’s married, and pregnant. 

I’m so sorry, J…

I fucked it all up. It should be ME she’s doing all that with. I just realized it too late…

You can’t change it. What about your new girl?

Deana? What about her?

If Jess HAD been available, what would you do? Like, if she wanted you back. 

I mean, I dunno. I figured that ship had sailed, and it clearly has. But seeing her today has me all nostalgic and kicking myself that it’s not with me. She asked if I was seeing anyone. I told her about Deana, no point in lying. Do I tell Deana about this?

Would you want her to tell you if the roles were reversed?

Yeah, I would actually.  She’s been really open with me on things, she deserves to know. 

Then tell her. Good luck, man. 

He sighed. Nothing had happened between him and Jess, so he had no real reason to worry, but his stomach was in knots at the thought of telling her. 

Hey, I know you’re with family, but can you talk?

Sure, what’s up?

So, I was out getting lunch and I ran into my ex…

Deana’s heart was in her throat. What happened?

She said I looked good, then went to go get her good. 

That’s it?

She’s pregnant…

It’s not yours, right?

No, I found out she’s married. 

You told me all this WHY?!

Because you’ve been so open with me. 

Thank you. It happens. Not like you saw her and had a one night stand or she wants you back. 

She texted me later saying it was good to see me. That’s when I found out she was married. 

You saw and talked to an ex. No big deal. 

I’m kicking myself because I wish it was ME she was married to, having MY baby. 

That’s normal to an extent, especially after seeing them. I saw my ex at a funeral while I was engaged. Even while engaged I played the ‘what if’ game in my head. It’s perfectly normal to think about them, what matters is how you respond. If nothing happened, you really didn’t need to tell me. I’m glad you did, that you could open up to me like that, worried about how I’d react. But nothing happened. It doesn’t change how you feel about me, about us, does it?

I talked to Trace and I honestly don’t know what I’d have done if she was single and wanted me back. 

Again, that’s a fairly normal response. Does it make you not want to be with me?

I just know I don’t want to hurt you…

Well, she’s clearly moved on, you were honest enough to tell me about it, so unless you suddenly are not interested, I don’t see a real problem. 

So you’re not mad at me?

For talking to an ex you saw while getting lunch? No, I’m not mad …

Just making sure. 

If anything, I like you MORE for telling me. 

Well, thank God for that. Cuz I do still like you. 

I gotta get back to the party, but thank you and we’ll talk later. 

Justin sighed in relief. I’m glad that’s over. Now to go work out and burn off some of this Chinese food…

…

It was mid morning  on Monday.  Deana was in the middle of her shift, just back from her break. She was feeling good and in the groove of getting drinks out. 

“I have a venti upside down Java Chip Frappuccino and a strawberry lemonade iced tea for Morgan,” she said.  She looked up and nearly spilled the drinks. 

In front of her was a young man, her height, stocky build. He had wide shoulders, green eyes, and dark hair that curled at the ends. 

“M-Morgan, hi,” she stumbled. 

“Hi. Ashley, this is Deana, an old friend of mine. This is Ashley, my fiancée.”

The words stuck in her throat. Fiancée.

Ashley waved.  “We’re getting things ready for our wedding in a couple weeks at Tonawanda Castle. It’s gonna be beautiful. Our colors are green and silver, I can’t wait…”

“Green and silver, you say,” she glared at Morgan. OUR wedding colors… “Congratulations.”

“Thanks for the drinks, gotta get going,” Morgan said. 

Deana’s heart sank. Tears welled up in her eyes as they walked out and down the street.

“You ok?” her manager asked. 

“Yeah, just my ex and his new fiancée.  One he’s not calling off…” Her voice started to quiver. 

“Do you need a minute? I know you just took your break, but go, we’ll be fine.”

Deana sat in the back and cried. What does she have that I don’t? Oh wait, she’s thin and pretty… Of all the Starbucks in this city, they had to walk into MINE?!

She pulled out her phone. Hey, I can match your running into an ex story…

You ok?

Not really. I’m at work and my ex fiancé comes in with his new fiancée, they’re getting married in a couple weeks, at a castle, using OUR color scheme. She was thin, and pretty, I feel miserable. 

You are so much better off, Deana. This is the guy that you were never gonna see, burning yourself at both ends to make ends meet. 

But at least I’d be married…

Or maybe you wouldn’t, if it was that really going to be that miserable. I know he broke your heart, but you have me now. I promise, I’ll never break your heart. 

I’ve heard THAT before, and look where I am…

You are beautiful, and apparently there’s a really hot guy that has a thing for you… That’s not too bad, is it?

No. And yeah, you are hot. 

And YOU are beautiful.

He introduced me as his friend…

Cuz starting a fight with his fiancée is what he should have done?  Even if she knows about you or not, it shouldn’t matter. You’re heading towards great things, Deana. I’ll see you tomorrow and I’ll buy you an extra drink. 

And hold me if I want to cry?

Absolutely.