Present Day
Miami, Florida
Bianca drew a heart around her ex-boyfriend, Aaron's, name, followed by a huge X. She'd pined for him for five years, accepting his excuses of flying around the world for work while he just went across town to his wife. She'd left town a year ago to get away from two heartbreaks: Papa's death and Aaron's unavailability, only for him to call out of the blue when she just so happened to be in town. She blamed Jonny for that one. He'd always wanted a big brother and idolized Aaron.
What a waste of five years.
"I probably shouldn't have come back to Miami," she said into the phone pressed to her ear, wishing she could talk to him without the butterflies in her stomach. "I should've just sold all Dad's things after he died."
"I wish you'd told me he died when you left last year. But I'm glad you're back," was the smooth reply.
"Sorry to hear about your split," she managed. "She was a nice lady."
"Thanks. It's been a bit rough lately for both of us. I could use a friend. I'm sure you could, too."
Not falling for it this time, she vowed to herself. At her silence, he continued.
"If you have time while you're in town, we could get together for coffee or something."
"I don't think that's a good idea," she said.
"Might as well. You're too sweet to get over me," he teased.
"Just because I dropped at your feet whenever you called for five years doesn't mean I'll do it now. It's been a year since I found out you were married and we split!"
"Hey, I really am free this time. Got the divorce paperwork to prove it."
A part of her still longed for him, to smell him and feel his skin against hers. She'd fallen for him the day she met him seven years ago. He was her world, but she'd been nothing more than an afterthought, strung along with promises for years. Now, he could deliver what he'd always promised-- a life together-- yet she didn't feel like leaping for joy like she would've a year ago.
"I'll even bring the paperwork with me," he offered. "Lunch, nothing else. If we still click, we'll go from there."
She chewed her lip. By the confidence in his voice, he expected her not only to agree, but to resume her place on his arm.
"Lunch," she agreed slowly.
"Great! How about a week from Sunday? I'll send you an email of where and when."
"Fine. Look, it's late. I'm going to bed." She hung up, sick of him and her weakness. She'd sworn off men-- especially this one-- a year ago! After all of Jonny's childhood injuries she'd healed, she couldn't fix her own heart!