Page 53 of Love You Madly

"I bet. Babies don’t exactly come on a set schedule," I say, holding the door open for her as we enter the cafeteria.

“No, they don’t," she laughs, grabbing a tray. "But that's part of the excitement. Every day is different."

We both scan the menu, and Karissa turns to me with a skeptical look. “Any recommendations?”

I smirk. “Avoid the meatloaf. Trust me.”

She gives a mock-serious nod. “Duly noted. Salad it is, then.”

As we move down the line, our conversation flows easily. There's something refreshing about the way she talks, no pretenses or awkwardness, just casual conversation. But in the back of my mind, I can’t shake the thoughts of Callie. I try to stay in the moment with Karissa, but it’s hard to ignore the tug I still feel toward someone else.

We find a table by the window, the sunlight casting a warm glow over the room as we sit down.

“So, do you enjoy your work?” Karissa asks, taking a bite of her salad.

“I do,” I say honestly. “I like fixing things and problem solving. Plus, you never know what’s going to come up. It keeps things interesting.”

“That’s what I love about nursing, too,” Karissa says. “Every day is a puzzle to figure out. It’s so rewarding when things come together.”

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, and I realize I may have made a new friend at work today. She’s kind, quick to smile, and genuinely interested in the conversation. It would be so much easier to have conversationslike this with her over lunch each day rather than pining for someone who lives over an hour away, someone I can’t have.

The conversation sticks to lighter topics—upcoming hospital events, places to check out around town—but my thoughts keep drifting. I force myself back into the moment, noticing how Karissa’s presence makes the day feel lighter, even if just a little.

As we finish our meals, I glance down and notice that she doesn’t have a ring on her finger. Not that it means much, but it’s something I can’t help but take in.

"It was great meeting you, Karissa," I say, offering her a warm smile. "Maybe we can do this again sometime. How about lunch tomorrow?"

She smiles back, her eyes brightening. "Yeah, I'd like that."

We both stand, and as we head out of the cafeteria, I can’t help but feel a flicker of something—maybe not the deep connection I have with Callie, but it’s enough to leave me wondering. For now, at least, it’s a start.

twenty-one

BACK TO DECEMBER - TAYLOR SWIFT

CALLIE - JUNE 5, 2013

The familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee fills the air as I step intoBrooked & Brewed,the cozy warmth offering a small reprieve from the emotional chaos of the weekend. The rhythmic hum of the espresso machine and the quiet clink of cups ground me. For a moment, I can almost forget the mess that is my life.

I’m wiping down the counter for the third time when the door chimes. I glance up, expecting a regular, but instead, I see Matt.

My stomach flips.

There he stands, the same blue eyes, the same crooked grin, like no time has passed at all. He's dressed casually in a green Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shirt, looking older but still somehow exactly the same.

"Callie?" His voice is a wave of familiarity, one that crashes into me, stirring memories I thought I’d buried. Sneaking around. Stolen kisses. The way it all ended.

"I... Matt. Hey." My heart races, and I can’t tell if it’s from excitement or fear, or some twisted mix of both.

“How’ve you been?” he asks, leaning casually against the counter as if we’re picking up where we left off. His gaze brings with it a flood of memories I’ve tried hard to leave behind.

The past is right here in front of me. But I’m not that girl anymore.

Matt had all of my firsts. Every single one.

“I’ve been… okay,” I lie, trying to sound steady. “It’s been a long time.”

“Yeah, it really has.” He glances around the shop, then back at me, his gaze warm but unsettling. “You look good, Callie. Happy, even. Heard you got married. And kids?”

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