September 13th, 2017
Back and forth. Back and forth. My feet mindlessly carry me from one end of my bedroom to another. I rip a piece of my nail from the rest. I've never chewed on my nails. Ever. But with great stress comes drastic measures. More than anything I wish that my phone will go off. Each passing second feels like a minute.
How could we have been so stupid? You hear stories of it happening but no one ever thinks it will happen to them. The chances are what…. one in a million? I could very well be that one. It would be just my luck of course.
My stomach drops as my ringtone chimes from my phone. The timer is out, and my fate awaits me. I return to my bathroom. I take a few deep breaths before pulling the test out of the sink.
The test with a faint pink plus sign.
January 20th, 2023
"Would you like to stay for dinner?"
"Would you like to stay forever?"
I laugh as the movie comes to an end. Emma is asleep next to me on the couch, slightly snoring. She has never been able to stay awake for a whole movie. It's only five thirty when my phone begins vibrating. I pull it off the coffee table and answer it.
"Hello?"
"Riley?"
"Yes?" I answer questioningly.
"Hey it's Josh." Josh laughs. We both take a breath. He sounds nervous.
"What can I do for ya Josh?" I chime sitting back into the cushions.
"Um, if you didn't have any plans, I was wondering if you wanted to get some drinks tonight?" He chokes out.
"Um it's a little last minute for me to try and find a babysitter." I sigh.
"Right, right. I didn't think about that. Um sorry." He sputters. It's very out of character for him.
"It's fine. Listen, how about tomorrow? Say seven o'clock?" I suggest.
"Sounds good. I'll pick you up."
"I'll text you my address. Bye Josh."
"Bye Riley." I smile and shake my head. I text my best friend Madison and her reply comes shortly after.
It's typical of Madison to be nosy. But if she were to find out I was going out with Josh, she would do everything in her power to stop it. In her mind, a date with Josh is a date with the Devil. So for right now, it's best for everybody if she just remains in the dark.
"And we are going to watch movies, and eat popcorn and I'm going to do her hair." I nod as Emma rambles on about her stay at Madison's.
"Is that so?" I laugh.
"Aunt Maddie is the funnest." She says in a matter of fact.
"Not me, you're very own mother?" I inquire, looking down at her as we walk up Madison's side walk.
"No." Emma states as I knock on the door.
"Oh." Madison opens the door in a matter of seconds. Emma runs in past her without a goodbye.
"Well she's excited." Madison comments.
"Yeah well you are the funnest." I mock in my daughter's voice.
"I know." She smiles. "So is it someone you work with?"
"Ugh, no. I'm not telling you. I want to see what becomes of it first. If it goes bad then you can't say I told you so." I groan. She stares at me with a smug grin.
"Oh, I'll still tell you."
"You would."
"Well, have fun and use protection." She calls as I walk away.
"We are so hilarious."
I make my way home and get begin getting ready for the night. It was hard to find something to wear. I shouldn't be nervous it's just drinks with Josh. At the same time, it's the first time we have interacted since we slept together while he was married. Oh yeah, and I had his kid and never told him. I shake that thought out of my mind. I quickly decide on a red cocktail dress I have owned forever.
The doorbell rings not shortly after I finish getting ready. I run to it slipping on my heels and grabbing my clutch. Josh stands on the other side dressed in dark jeans and shirt and tie. His smile widen as he took me in.
"You look amazing." He comments.
"Thanks, you're not half bad yourself." I laugh.
"Ready?" Josh questions putting his arm out for me to take.
"Ready."
