Chapter 13

The quaint café hummed with the gentle chatter of patrons as Vanessa and Laura settled into a corner booth, the soft sunlight filtering through the windows casting a warm glow over their faces. Vanessa stirred her latte absently, her thoughts still lingering on the events of the previous night. She had changed out of her evening attire and was now bare faced with minimal makeup and dressed in a comfortable white sweat set.

"So, spill," Laura teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she leaned forward eagerly. "What happened after I left? Did you and Zac finally hash things out?"

Laura had tried to stay up waiting for Vanessa but sleep caught up with her as well. It was only when the hotel door unlocked that morning that she realized Vanessa hadn't been in the room all night. They decided to catch up over brunch at the hotel before heading back home.

Vanessa let out a small chuckle, a wistful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Oh, you have no idea. We talked... for hours. It was like the floodgates opened, and everything just poured out."

Laura's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Hours? Vanessa, I thought you were just going over to get closure, not to pull an all-nighter."

"I know, I know," Vanessa sighed, her gaze drifting off into the distance as she recalled the intensity of their conversation. "But it wasn't just closure, Laura. It was... something more. Something I can't quite put my finger on."

Laura studied her friend intently, a knowing look in her eyes. "So, what are you saying? Do you think there's something there between you and Zac?"

Vanessa hesitated, the weight of uncertainty settling in her chest. "I don't know, Laura. Part of me wants to believe it was just closure, that we've finally put the past behind us. But another part of me... I can't shake this feeling that there's something more, something we've been missing all these years."

Laura reached across the table, gently squeezing Vanessa's hand in a gesture of reassurance. "Vanessa, listen to me. I know you. I've been your best friend for years. You NEVER talk to your exes. Even as friends. The fact that you felt so comfortable with him… means something. I don't know, I think enough time has passed that maybe you could actually explore something more…"

"I know. It's crazy. I never think like this." Vanessa covered her face almost like a shy school girl. It was true. Vanessa had rarely if ever stayed in touch with her ex boyfriends. Some of her friends thought Vanessa cut boys off the moment she broke up with them because she felt nothing by that point but only her close friends knew that it was because she felt so much. She had such a loving and soft soul that it would hurt to be in close contact with someone she had imagined a future with. Distance was at times inevitable given the way people's lives pulled them in opposite directions but it was also a way of protecting her heart.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, a couple of years ago I would never think getting back with an ex was a good idea but … now, I do believe the universe has something bigger than even we can fathom in store for us. Sometimes fate intervenes and shows us what we've been missing. Besides, time really changes things. You're not the same people you were. You're grown ups and have lived life and would approach this new phase in your relationship in a different way…. After everything you've been through, you owe it to yourself to do something that just feels right in your heart. Don't overthink it."

"I'm a mum now, Laur. I have to overthink EVERYTHING. It's the name of the game."

Laura smiled, her voice gentle yet firm. "I understand that. And you will overthink things. Which is normal and the right thing to do. But, just right now… let yourself feel. Get swept up in all your feelings. It's okay. When and if the time comes for something more serious… you'll figure it out. I promise. At the end of the day you'll never know unless you try and life's way too short to live with regrets. You owe it to yourself to see what this could be."

Vanessa looked up at her friend with misty eyes. How long had it been since she had put herself first? Acted impulsively and just followed her heart? Maybe Laura was right. Maybe she should let herself feel everything and let fate take its course. And as she looked at Laura, her unwavering support filling her with newfound courage, she knew that whatever lay ahead, she wouldn't be facing it alone.

The sun cast a warm glow over the bustling brunch spot as Zac slid into the booth next to his mother, Starla, and his brother, Dylan. Starla's eyes sparkled with pride as she gazed at her son, a radiant smile lighting up her face.

"I'm so proud of you, baby! Not just for this award but I'm just proud of the person you are. I know how hard you've worked over the years and I am just so proud." A teary eyed Starla dabbed the corner of her eyes with a napkin.

Zac couldn't help but melt at his mother's words, a swell of gratitude filling his chest.

"Aw, Mama, you're gonna make me cry. I love you." Zac gave her a kiss on the cheek and a big hug.

"I'm still your favorite, right?" grinned Dylan from across the two of them.

"I don't have favorites! But if I had to pick, you're my favorite oldest son and you're my favorite youngest son." Starla pinched Dylan's cheek across the table.

"You always say that," Dylan playfully rolled his eyes.

"It's the truth!" Starla said with a smile.

"Alright, Mama what are you eating?" Zac asked.

The three of them caught each other up on all their news from the past few weeks. Zac's dad, David FaceTimed them during the meal. A work emergency had forced him to turn back home after dropping off Starla but he was determined to congratulate Zac and be a part of the family brunch.

"Okay, baby, now talk to me," said Starla, setting down her cutlery.

"Yeah…" said Zac warily.

"Who are you bringing home this Christmas?"

"Mama!" Zac exclaimed." Isn't the Oscar enough?"

"What? I'm not getting any younger. Yes, I'm proud of your work accomplishments, honey. I really am. But I would like at least one grandchild at SOME point. I don't think that's too much to ask."

"Jeez, mama. I don't know." Zac ran his hand through his hair.

"Speaking of which…. guess who we ran into, mama?" said Dylan with a mouthful of pancakes as he smirked at his brother. Zac glared back.

"Who?" said Starla excitedly.

"Ryan was here and Nina. You remember Nina?" Zac evaded.

"Vanessa." Dylan smiled at his mother.

"Hudgens?" asked Starla.

"The one and only," said Dylan proudly.

"Oh my goodness. That's so sweet. How is she?"

"She's good," answered Zac.

"Just good? You guys were hanging out all night by the looks of it. Tell us more. What's she up to these days?" probed Dylan.

As much as he loved his little brother, Zac could punch Dylan right now.

"All night? What's that about, baby? Did you hook up?!" questioned Starla.

"OMG. Mama! We did NOT hook up. Dylan shut it."

Dylan laughed at Starla's expression changes from elated to disappointed.

"We reconnected at the awards and got to talking during the after party. The conversation continued and we honestly just talked all night… and it was just really nice to hang out again after all these years."

"Well, honey, that sounds special. And I don't know how you kids tell each other you like one another these days. There's probably an app for that - good grief! But if you want my blessing, I approve. I always liked her."

"Yeah, me too," mumbled Zac faintly.

"Well then go for it, dude!" said Dylan.

Zac sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Look, it's complicated, okay? Vanessa and I, we've got a history. But right now, I think it's best if we just focus on being friends. She has a lot on her plate."

"What do you mean, baby?" asked his mom.

"She was married not so long ago and recently separated from her husband and she's also a mother to a toddler. So yeah, there's a lot to consider."

"Oh my… that's definitely a lot to take in. But, you know you're not young anymore, everyone has baggage. That's okay. You're strong. You just have to help one another carry it," Starla encouraged.

Zac met his mother's gaze, a mixture of gratitude and reluctance in his eyes. "I know, Mom. And I appreciate that. But I think friendship is what we both need right now."

Starla nodded understandingly. "Well, if that's what you truly believe is best, darling. Just know that I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

"Thanks, mama," said Zac.

"You could maybe ask her out for coffee? As a friend. I don't know what you kids do these days. Is coffee still just coffee or is it code for hooking up? I don't know…" Starla trailer off.

"Haha, yes mom. Coffee still means just coffee. Yeah, that's a good idea. I'll look into it. "

"So… did you at least get her number or are you going to have to DM her like a stranger?" asked Dylan.

"Oh shoot," Zac exclaimed. In all their in depth conversations yesterday he failed to ask her for any way to contact her.

"Stranger danger DM it is, then," said Dylan. "Better do it quickly though before you go 10 years without speaking again."

Zac chucked his napkin at his brother as he fished out his phone and acted on Dylan's advice.

As Vanessa and Laura checked out of the hotel and headed to their car, Vanessa's phone buzzed in her pocket. Retrieving it, she saw a DM from Zac. It was a phone number followed by a "Thank you for yesterday. It was so good to catch up. Let's stay in touch?" with a red heart emoji to seal the message.

The young and confident Zac she knew would never have used a question mark in such a situation but the mature and grown up Zac she now knew was offering her an out if she needed space. She smiled at his thoughtfulness.

The ball was now in her court.