BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

I turn over in my bed, startled by the shrill sound of the alarm. I reach out with my right hand and accidentally knock the alarm off the bedside table. I guess that means I have to get up now. I slowly rise from my bed throwing the covers off, and plant my feet on the ground, searching for the lost alarm clock. It finally shuts off and I check my phone.

6am on a Friday.

Not just any Friday, date night Friday. I stretch my arms and pad to the bathroom to freshen up for the day. I look like hell. But my eyes are alive, excited. That doesn't make any sense. Getting ready for work on a Friday usually is easy since I have the weekend to look forward to. Today is different. I find myself staring at my walk-in for a good 15 minutes before deciding on what to wear.

A good 45-minute commute later due to a road blockage, I find myself barging through the kitchen doors barking out instructions at my staff who just poured a cup of lemon juice into a piping hot cream-based sauce.

"Hey! You better watch that. That stuff might curdle."

"I'm on it, boss. You're late by the way."

"Give me a break. There was a road block near the Hyatt. Apparently a limo driver joined the party and got drunk with his passenger."

"Yeah, yeah, same old stories boss."

I can't help but smile. My sous chef is nothing if not snarky.

"I'm keeping an eye on you, Nichols. Don't let that thing curdle. We have a big lunch service coming up."

"Aye aye, boss!"

My workday ends at 6pm, leaving the rest of the staff to handle the dinner service at the restaurant. Managing a fusion restaurant has its ups and downs, but I love the grind and I get to take home a decent amount of money each month.

Rushing home through the surprisingly light New York traffic, I have enough time to shower, decide on an outfit and walk the 6 blocks to her apartment. I shower and do my make up before turning towards my closet. I settle on a pair of olive green leather pants paired with a navy blue top and grab my coat on the way out.

I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror hanging on the hallway before reaching the front door.

You can do it. Game face on.

I reach her apartment door at exactly 7:52pm, briefly composing myself before knocking. I can hear some sort of commotion inside, the sound of rushed footsteps, then the door swings open.

"Hi! Good to see you again. You're right on time."

I smile as I subtly glance at her from head to toe. She kept it simple yet elegant, wearing tight fitting dark jeans, a white top and a Floral Jacquard blazer. Her make up is light, bringing out the blue in her eyes.

"Hey, good thing I decided to walk. Traffic is piling up right now. Good to see you too."

I peck her on the cheek and she smiles, showing off her pearly whites.

"Shall we go then? I know the perfect Greek place just down the street."

"I love Greek. Let's go."

We walk a couple of blocks down the street, settling into a surprisingly easy conversation, until we reach the corner of Vitus' Greek Bistro. I recognize the place, but I haven't been here in a while. We are immediately seated at a cozy booth.

"Hi! Welcome to Vitus' Greek Bistro. I'll be your server for the night. My name is..."

I look up, recognizing her voice but not quite believing it.

"...Chloe."

I finish her sentence for her.

"Alex?"

Chloe is as incredulous as I am. My date is looking between us, perplexed.

"Alex? Do you know her?"

Honesty, Alex. Honesty.

"Uh, yeah. This is Chloe, my ex girlfriend."

Things just got a bit more complicated.