Prompt: Hurts like hell
The next time they had crossed paths was more then three years later and they had done so literally... Hunter having to slip an arm around her waist to keep her from falling. He blinked down at her, surprise in his eyes.
"Victoria. Hi."
"Hi." Victoria echoed.
Hunter seemed to realize that he still held her and quickly stepped away from her, his fingertips brushing against her skin. He gave her a quick once over, a smile on his lips when he settled back on her eyes.
"How are you? You look good."
She smiled in response and ran a hand through her dark locks. She nodded at his question, "I'm good. Thank you. You look good yourself." She paused during her own visual assessment of him and her heart ached at sight of the silver band on his ring finger. She blinked and a tear fell. She cleared her throat and managed to discreetly wipe the tear away. She forced a smile for him, "You're married. Congratulations."
Hunter smiled, but slipped his left hand into the pocket of his jeans. "Thank you. What about-"
Victoria shook her head. "Not married. Not even seeing anyone."
"Oh."
She forced another smile and forced a lie through her lips. "I prefer it. A relationship is more work than I can give right now." She shrugged and asked, "Marriage everything you hoped for?"
"Yeah. Yeah, it's great."
"That's good." She took a step back and came up with an excuse to leave. "Well, I actually have to meet someone. Maybe we'll bump into each other again..."
Hunter nodded and she made a move to pass him but he quickly laid a hand on her elbow.
"Hey-"
She met his gaze.
"-we should have lunch or dinner or something. Catch up. It's been a while."
"Over three years, but I don't think-"
"Please."
Victoria sighed. She hadn't wanted to, because it hurt. Because he was married and she wasn't the one he was married to, but the sound of his voice...
"OK."