Page 47 of A Simple Reminder

“Jared, you and I will not happen. I will never date someone I work with again. My career is my priority, and nothing will change that. I’m trying to build something. And like you are aware, it didn't work out well the last time I dated you.” I try to push it toward what happened, for him to actually understand. I take a sip of wine, trying to calm the irritation bubbling inside. As I look at him, the beauty of his features in the candlelight begins to morph into a reminder of past disappointments to something ugly.

“I'm sorry for that, I truly am. But I was young and dumb and I would have done anything for my career. You know how it is, Sophie. You're just as ambitious. Wouldn't you have done the same?”

Never.

“No, actually, I wouldn’t, Jared. Yes, I’m ambitious. Yes, I want my career to excel. I would do almost anything—but I wouldn’t step on the people I care about or push them down just to get ahead. That’s the difference between you and me.”

“I don’t regret making that choice, because it led me here. The only thing I regret—and want to apologize for—is not taking you with me.”

His words and this whole conversation stir up so much in me. It was such a lousy move on his part, a betrayal that set me back. I remember all the extra work I had to do, the relentless effort to gain even a fraction of the recognition and opportunities his project would have offered me. The unfairness of it all makes the old anger bubble up, the sting of injustice sharp as ever.

But then, dwelling on these grievances won’t change anything. It won’t change the past. And I took myself forward, with or without that project. I did it myself.

My dad’s words echo in my mind,“Don’t expect people's hearts to be the same as yours. You can't expect that people will do as you would. Don’t waste time crying over expectations that were never realistic.”Holding onto resentment will only weigh me down, and I’ve worked too hard to let that happen.

The thought flickers through my mind,maybe I should forgive someone else?I try to dismiss it quickly because, with Liam, it’s different. I made a promise not just to myself but, more importantly, to my father.“Promise me never to be with a man like me, Petal. Please, I don’t want you to be close to any bad situation.”It’s a vow that keeps me from revisiting what Liam and I once had.

“I forgive you,” I finally say, letting everything go. Yes, Jared's actions did prolong my struggle, but they also forced me to grow stronger, more resilient. Now, I'm part of one of the biggest hotel chains in Europe, and I'm paving my way in New York and hopefully the rest of the US. One day, my name will be everywhere. People will have to fight to hire me.

I refuse to look back in bitterness. Instead, I'm choosing to focus on the future, to protect my peace and prioritize my progress. However, one thing I know for sure is that I'm closing all my doors, windows, and every tiny crevice on Jared.

“One arrabbiata and one frutti di mare,” the young waitress says as she places down the food. Thank God. The food is here. I want to move on from our conversation and never look back.

The aroma of garlic and tomatoes from my arrabbiata fills the air, as the plates touch the table. It smells divine.

“So, which of the concepts for the terrace do you think Liam will like the most?” I ask, trying to steer the conversation toward safer territory. Before Jared can respond, another voice interrupts.

“Well, what a coincidence, my two favorite employees on a date. How sweet.” The voice I know all too well, dripping with sarcasm, cuts through the chatter of the restaurant.

No, it can’t be,I pray while I slowly lift my eyes. Does manifesting really work? More importantly, how do I stop it when it comes to summoning Liam?

TWENTY-ONE

LIAM

I’m outside Sophie and Adeline’s apartment, contemplating if I should ring the doorbell, knock, or just leave the gift and walk away. Ringing the doorbell feels too intrusive, but I can’t just run away like a coward. I opt to knock, but as my hand falls against the door, a surge of doubt washes over me. What the hell am I doing? This feels inappropriate; I shouldn’t even be here. Shaking my head, I quickly set down the vase on the doorstep. She’ll find it before her dinner and realize it was from me.

After seeing Sophie's smile as she ran up to it, I knew I had to buy it for her. Her eyes sparkled at first sight, but it quickly dimmed—presumably when she caught sight of the price tag. I had to get it for her—a gift. No price tag could stand in the way if it means seeing her that excited again.

Just as I'm about to leave, the door suddenly swings open, and I'm caught off guard. Sophie stands in the doorway, bathed in a backlight that frames her like an angel.

“Wow,” the simple word slips out of my mouth. She stands before me in a pink dress that clings to her body, perfectly complementing her figure. The soft fabric catches the light, enhancing her natural glow, making her look even more radiant. It's as if she stepped out of a painting, ethereal and almost unreal. If I could only reach out to touch her. Just to make sure she’s real.

“Liam?” she asks, her voice slightly breathless. “What are you doing here?”

“You look beautiful,” I reply, sidestepping her question unintentionally as I get caught up in the moment more and more the longer I stare at her.

“Thank you.” She blushes a delicate pink that suits her perfectly. “Did I forget something I was supposed to do today? I promise, Jared and I are almost done with the terrace project.”

“No, no.” I shake my head quickly, perhaps too quickly, trying to reassure her. “I just wanted to drop this off. They mistakenly delivered it to my place.” My voice softens as I gesture toward the vase.

She looks down at the gift, then back up at me, a mixture of surprise and curiosity lighting up her face. “To your place? Is it for me?”

“Yeah, for your forget-me-nots,” I add, hoping the gift and its symbolism might hint that I’m ready to make amends. That I remember everything. That I actually never forgot.

We exchange a few more words, mostly trying to get her to accept my gift, before Adeline joins us.

Sophie finally accepts the gift with a soft “Thank you, Liam” and walks back into the apartment to put the vase aside.

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