Christmas morning arrived with the soft glow of early sunlight streaming through the windows, casting a warm, golden hue over the city. Trish, however, wasn't feeling quite as festive.

After a quiet morning with her family, she had decided to meet up with Dez, as they had planned, to spend the rest of the day together. Trish had tried to push away the gnawing feelings of jealousy that had started bubbling up again, but it was hard.

Dez had been great since after the concert, but Trish still couldn't shake the unease she felt when she thought about him and his ex, Jenna. The previous night, Dez had reassured her, and she had tried to put her insecurities aside. She knew Jenna wasn't a threat, that Dez cared about her. But every time she saw them together, even if it was just talking, that nagging feeling returned.

As she walked through the park later that afternoon, she couldn't help but glance around, hoping to find Dez. They had agreed to meet here for a walk, a chance to enjoy the Christmas spirit in the cool air and take a break from the hustle of the holidays.

When Trish spotted him, though, her heart sank. Dez was standing near the entrance of the park, talking to none other than Jenna. At first, it seemed harmless—just casual conversation, their voices light and playful. But as Trish's gaze lingered, she noticed something that made her stomach churn: Dez and Jenna were standing a little too close. Their body language was easy, almost intimate, like old friends who had picked up right where they left off.

Jenna laughed, a sound that sent a chill down Trish's spine, and Dez's smile was wide, his hands animated as he spoke. Trish watched for a moment longer, and it wasn't the conversation that caught her off guard—it was the way Dez's eyes sparkled when he looked at her.

Trish's heart twisted in her chest.

She had always known that Dez and Jenna had a history, but today, it felt like something more. To her, it looked like they were reconnecting in a way that was more than just friendly. The way they stood so close, the easy familiarity in their body language—it all felt wrong. The jealousy she had tried to suppress bubbled up again, stronger this time.

Trish felt a lump rise in her throat as she fought back the sting of tears. She wanted to walk up to them, to confront Dez and tell him how much this hurt. But a part of her, the part that knew she shouldn't jump to conclusions, told her to wait. Maybe she was just overthinking it. Maybe it was nothing.

But the longer she stood there, the more the doubt took root. She couldn't ignore how she felt.

After a few more moments, Dez and Jenna shared a laugh, and Dez stepped back, ruffling his hair as he turned toward the park path. Trish quickly wiped her eyes, not wanting Dez to see her upset, and stepped back into the trees, her heart pounding. She needed a moment to breathe, to process what she had just seen.

Dez didn't notice Trish hiding in the shadows, but when he spotted her a few minutes later walking along the path, he waved cheerfully. "Hey, Trish! Over here!"

She forced a smile, trying to act casual, but her mind was swirling with a storm of emotions. As Dez caught up to her, she couldn't stop herself from speaking her mind.

"What was that?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Dez looked at her, confused. "Jenna, remember? I told you she was here in town for the holidays." His expression softened, as if he thought Trish might still be a little unsure about their connection. "We were just talking about some old memories."

Trish nodded, though it felt like a lie in her throat. "Yeah, I saw. You two were talking for a while."

Dez's face brightened, though it was clear he hadn't noticed the tension in Trish's voice. "Yeah, I haven't seen her in forever, and we just started talking about some of the stuff we used to do. Nothing serious, promise."

Trish couldn't help but let out a short laugh, though it was laced with a hint of sarcasm. "I'm sure." She looked away for a moment, trying to control the wave of emotions threatening to overtake her.

Dez tilted his head, suddenly sensing that something was off. "Trish, are you okay?"

Trish stopped walking and turned to face him, the frustration bubbling up inside. "I saw you two together, Dez. It didn't look like just a friendly chat. You were so close, laughing and smiling like… like you were more than just friends."

Dez's face fell, and he took a step closer to her, his voice filled with concern. "Trish, no. It wasn't like that. I swear."

But Trish, still hurt and unsure, shook her head. "You don't get it, Dez. Every time I see you with her, it feels like I'm not even there. Like I'm just some second choice."

"Trish, that's not it at all," Dez said quickly, his voice soft but firm. "I love you. You're the one I want to be with, okay? Jenna's in the past. I was just talking to her, but that doesn't change how I feel about you."

Trish's heart wavered at his words, but the doubt still gnawed at her. "I don't know, Dez. I just—every time I see you with her, I feel like I'm losing you. Like maybe you're not as over her as you say you are."

Dez stepped forward, gently taking her hands in his. "Trish, I promise you. You are the one I want to be with. No one else. Jenna is just a friend from the past. It's you who matters to me now, more than anything."

Trish looked up at him, the sincerity in his eyes finally breaking through the walls of doubt she had built up around her heart. She could see that he truly cared, and his words eased the tension in her chest, but the lingering insecurity wasn't gone. It would take time, but she wanted to believe him.

"I trust you," she said softly, "but sometimes, it's hard. You know?"

"I know," Dez replied, his voice full of understanding. "But we're good, Trish. I'm not going anywhere."

They stood in silence for a few moments, the cold Christmas air swirling around them. Trish let out a long breath and nodded. "Okay."

Dez smiled, a little relieved. "I promise. I won't make you feel like that again."

Trish let a small smile slip onto her face as she wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you, Dez. I love you."

"I love you too," Dez said, holding her tightly. "Always."

As they walked hand in hand through the park, the Christmas lights twinkling in the distance, Trish's heart still felt a little heavy. But for now, at least, she had the reassurance she needed. She would work through her doubts, and they would figure it out together.