The Ex-Boyfriend Alert
Standing just a few steps away was Rick—Emma’s ex-boyfriend from college. Time had only sharpened his features. His tan skin, dark hair, and striking blue eyes were instantly recognizable. For a moment, the past flooded back, and all the confusion she had been carrying melted into a stunned smile. She hadn’t seen him in years, and here he was, right in front of her.
They chatted like old friends, catching up on where life had taken them. Rick mentioned that he had just moved to the city after getting a promotion. Emma nodded, trying to stay engaged, but her thoughts drifted back to her troubled home life. When Rick asked how she was doing, she hesitated. It was hard to pretend everything was perfect when she felt like she was walking a tightrope. And yet, in that moment, she wasn’t ready to open up completely.
