Chapter 1 – It's Been Three Years

Tony was walking in the JFK International Airport in Queens on his way to pick up Mrs. Rossini. She was arriving soon from her flight out to California to visit her older sister. Tony smiled as he thought it was nice that Mrs. Rossini's sister was still alive, and they were able to still get together and visit.

Tony glanced down at his watch and noticed he still had some time to kill until Mrs. Rossini's flight arrived. Looking up, he saw Dunkin Donuts in the distance and decided to grab a coffee for himself.

Tony arrived at Dunkin Donuts and proceeded to get in line. The line had about 6-7 people ahead of him. He pulled his phone out of his pocket, checking it, and texting Sam back to let her know he had arrived early and was waiting for Mrs. Rossini's flight to arrive. Sam quickly texted back to let Mrs. Rossini know that she would be over to visit soon to hear all about her trip out to California.

Tony smiled and placed his phone in his pocket, glancing up as he noticed the line was slowly moving. As he glanced ahead of him in line, about 4 people ahead of him, he quickly noticed an attractive woman with brownish-blonde hair that was instantly recognizable to him. His breath caught in his throat as his heartbeat sped up at the sight of this woman.

Could it be? No… Why would she be here? In Queens for that matter? No, it can't be.

The line moved forward, and Tony quickly stepped forward, keeping his eyes on the attractive woman a few people ahead of him in line.

Tony quickly decided he had to know who she was. He decided to be discreet and allow her to turn around in line and catch her attention instead of walking up to her and bothering her. He knew deep down she may not be the same woman.

As he intently watched the woman order and pay for her drink, Tony felt like time slowed down.

The woman turned around and slowly looked around, like she was looking for someone, when she saw Tony standing in line. Time stood still for a few seconds as her facial expression changed from unsure to excitement within 2-3 seconds of seeing Tony.

The woman had a huge smile on her face as she made her way over to Tony. Tony, on the other hand, was trying to calm his breathing and his pulse.

As the woman made her way up to Tony, Tony smiled at the sight of her. It had been three years since they had seen each other and yet, unbeknownst to those around them, it seemed they'd never missed a second together.

"Tony! Oh! I never imagined I'd run into you here! What are you doing here? How are you? Gosh, it's been so long!"

Tony, unable to stop smiling, laughed slightly and informed the woman that he was there picking up Mrs. Rossini from the airport and was killing time getting some coffee.

"Oh, how is Mrs. Rossini?"

"Oh, she's good. She was out in California visiting her sister."

"That's great she still has family to visit."

"Yeah. Man, you look beautiful."

Unable to control his thoughts and his mouth, Tony spoke before he realized what he had told her. The woman glanced at him and held his stare for a few seconds before blushing and looking down at the floor, laughing that laugh that Tony had missed over the past three years.

Silence overtook them for a few seconds.

"So, how are you doing? What are you doing here?"

"I'm doing good. I'm actually here –"

Breaking her conversation with Tony, the woman heard her name being called among the people in the coffee shop and she turned towards who was calling her name.

Walking towards Tony and the woman was a man who was tall, well-built and tanned with dark brown wavy hair.

"Angela! What's taking so long?"

Embarrassed at the man appearing before Angela could explain to Tony who he was, Tony looked at the man and then at Angela and the realization hit him like a ton of bricks.

"Sorry Christopher. I ran into Tony here and was just catching up."

Christopher smiled, flashing his white teeth against his tan skin, and held his hand out to shake Tony's hand.

"Tony, nice to meet you."

Before Tony could respond, Christopher was grilling Angela.

"Angela, did you get my coffee? We really need to get going. Make it quick and meet me at the entrance."

Leaning in, Christopher placed a quick kiss on her cheek and walked off with his coffee in hand. Tony noticed Angela stiffen at his kiss.

Unable to look Tony in the eye for a moment, Angela regained her composure and looked back up at Tony, who was still standing there with a smile on his face.

"Uh, Tony, Christopher is my husband. We just got married this past week and are on our way home from our honeymoon."

The air in Tony's sail quickly deflated once he heard Angela was newly married. How was that possible? He always held out hope that one day they would be reunited and get back together. He had to compose himself to not lose it in front of Angela. It was like a slap in the face.

"Oh, uh… congratulations, Angela."

"Thanks…"

Silence fell between them again before Angela spoke up.

"Tony…"

The way she said his name… It was like someone calling out for help and he would do all he could to help her.

"Yeah?"

Angela hesitated before she spoke. Tony knew she wanted to say something else but quickly changed her mind. He noticed tears forming on the rim of her eyelids as she smiled quickly, trying to break her thoughts.

"It was good seeing you."

"You too."

Before she could say anything else, Christopher yelled her name off in the distance and motioned for her to come on, putting down at his watch.

"I need to go. Again, it was nice seeing you again."

Tony, unsure of Christopher, caught Angela's wrist before she turned to walk away from him.

"Angela… Are you okay? I mean, Christopher –"

Quickly laughing slightly, Angela quickly denied Tony's worries.

"I'm fine, Tony. Christopher is great. He's such a wonderful man. Please, don't worry about me. Again, it was nice seeing you again, Tony."

Unsure if there was something there or not, Tony still didn't feel comfortable with Christopher. He decided not to mention it. Tony glanced over towards the entrance and noticed an irritated Christopher watching them intently. Tony smiled at Angela and let her wrist go.

"Yeah, you too. Congratulations again, Angela."

Angela took her coffee that was sitting on the small wooden table beside of them and walked towards Christopher. Turning to look back at Tony for just another second, she smiled at him and waved goodbye. Tony waved back and watched Angela and Christopher leave the coffee shop.

Angela was married to Christopher. Over the past three years, Tony had held out hope that he'd see her again and they could pick up where they left off like nothing happened. He didn't understand what happened between them. They were so in love and then one day, it was as if everything between them was finished. Now, he didn't have a good feeling about Christopher.