The smooth sounds of a saxophone filled the crisp night air as Reese made her way through the crowded festival grounds. The glow of string lights intertwined with the towering palm trees above, casting dreamy reflections on the hillside. She tightened her grip on the leather strap of her handbag. This wasn't how tonight was supposed to go.
She glanced around at the sea of couples, their laughter blending with the distant crooning of the band on stage. The tickets Christian gifted her—a thoughtful gesture made her to believe that they would have enjoyed this night together. But that notion had unraveled quickly the moment Ana, his ex-wife, appeared out of nowhere in the wee hours of the morning after the sale of the former Greys estate. The way he'd dismissed Reese that night to focus on Ana had left her shaken and uncertain about where they stood or if they stood anywhere.
It had taken every ounce of willpower to decide to come—alone.
Reese found a secluded spot near the edge of the crowd, where the music drifted freely without the pressure of conversation. The musicians on stage played with an easy mastery, their melodies wrapping around her like a warm embrace. She closed her eyes, letting the music drown out her tangled thoughts.
"Reese?"
Her eyes snapped open. That voice.
She turned slowly and found herself face-to-face with Collin.
"Collin," she said, her tone neutral as she took him in. He was dressed casually yet impeccably, his blazer resting easily over a crisp white shirt. His features were as familiar as ever—sharp jawline, piercing hazel eyes—but the relaxed smile on his face felt... new.
"Twice in one month," he said, a small laugh escaping his lips. "We've got to stop meeting like this."
Reese's lips curved into a faint smile despite herself. "Well, to be fair, you showed up to my brokers open event unannounced."
"Touché," he said, slipping his hands into his pockets. "It's nice to see you again," he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Reese nodded, keeping her expression neutral. "You too. What brings you here?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You say that like I've never been to a jazz festival before. We used to come here together, remember?"
She crossed her arms, feeling a mix of irritation and nostalgia. "I remember."
"I didn't peg you as the type to come to something like this alone, though."
She raised an eyebrow. "And why not?"
He hesitated, his gaze steady. "I just assumed you'd have someone with you, perhaps your new boyfriend," he stated firmly although he was unsure of himself in the assumption of the label.
Her stomach tightened at his words, Christian's face flashing in her mind. "Oh that. I thought it was something. Turns out I was wrong…again," her voice trailed.
Collin studied her for a moment, his expression softening. "Hey…so what are you doing after this? Can I buy you a coffee?"
Reese hesitated, the logical part of her brain screaming at her to walk away. But there was another part—one fueled by curiosity, nostalgia, and perhaps the faintest sliver of hope—that urged her to say yes.
"Sure," she said finally.
They found a bench tucked away near a coffee cart; its weathered wood bathed in the soft glow of string lights. Reese wrapped her hands around the steaming cup, savoring its warmth as Collin sat beside her.
"It's been a while since I've seen you like this," he said, his voice quieter now.
"Like what?"
"Relaxed. At ease."
Reese gave a small shrug. "Well, that's because the last time you saw me, I was hosting an event and the time before that, I was probably yelling at the florist to fix the flower arrangement order for the church" she said dryly with a mix of pain and humor.
"Fair," he said with a nod. "Still... it's good to see you...in whatever state this is."
She turned to him, her brow furrowing slightly. "Why are you being so..."
He tilted his head, the faintest smile playing on his lips. "So what?"
"I don't know Collin," she took a sip of her coffee, trying to gather her thoughts. "I guess this just feels weird to be here with you having… small talk."
"Reese," he paused, "Searching for the right words," I made a terrible mistake. It was a case of cold feet and not that it makes for a good excuse, but I handled it in the worst way. The truth is I never thought about being married until I met you and then things just moved fast and got out of control."
Reese sat and stared as she listened to the sincerity in his voice. This is what she had waited for two years. An explanation. An apology. Closure.
"I meant what I said a few weeks ago" his voice becoming more stable "I miss you…I've missed this."
Reese's chest tightened. The words were simple, but they carried the weight of their shared history—of what could have been and the pain he'd caused.
"I don't know if I can say the same," she said, her voice sharper than she intended. "Not after how things progressed after the break-up."
Collin winced, but he didn't look away. "I deserve that. I deserve a lot worse, actually. I know what I did was unforgivable, and I don't expect you to forget. But I've changed, Reese. I've spent the last year in therapy trying to figure out how to be better—how to be honest."
"Honesty would've been nice back then," she said, her tone laced with bitterness, "You know it took me a while to figure out that it was your assistant," she sighed heavily, "You never said who it was but it was so obvious even though you continuously lied about her," her voice trailed, "I thought that you were decent enough not to be a cliché and not to have her around me or my brother for that matter."
"I know," he said softly. "And I don't blame you if you don't believe me now that I've changed. But I'd like to show you. Slowly. If you'll let me."
Reese let out a shaky breath, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She'd spent so long building walls to protect herself from him specifically. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw something she hadn't before: regret, yes, but also hope.
"What exactly are you asking for?" she asked cautiously.
He smiled faintly. "A chance. No pressure, no expectations. Just... coffee and conversations like this. Let's take it slow."
Her heart waged a silent war with her head, but eventually, she nodded. "Slow."
Collin's smile widened, relief evident in his expression. "Slow," he repeated softly.
"One condition," Reese said, her tone firm.
"Anything."
"Honesty," she said. "No lies. No omissions. If you can't give me that, then we're done before we even start."
"You have my word," he said without hesitation.
Reese nodded, a cautious smile tugging at her lips.
