#Chapter 37: Late Again
Abby

The once golden glow of the candles seems dull now. The shadows in the room stretch longer, a stark

contrast to the beautifully set table, pristine and untouched. The wine, once poured with anticipation,

sits still, a silent witness to my growing anxiety. The aroma of the truffle oil, once intoxicating, now only

serves as a bitter reminder of the love I had poured into preparing for this evening.

The clock on the wall seems to mock me with its relentless ticking, each second stretching into an

eternity. My phone lays idle beside me, and the absence of a call or message from Adam weighs

heavily on my heart.

Trying to ward off the budding dread, I take a deep breath and dial his number. “Maybe he’s stuck in

traffic or something,” I think to myself. “Or, g od forbid, he got into an accident.”

After dialing his number, I hold my phone up to my ear with a shaky hand. The soft hum of the ringtone

echoes in the silence.

After what feels like a lifetime, he answers. The din of background noises hits me instantly—shouts,

laughter, the unmistakable hustle and bustle of his restaurant.

My stomach sinks. He’s working. I should have known better.

“Adam?” My voice quivers slightly.

“Abby? What’s up?”

His casual tone catches me off guard, and I try to steady myself. “What’s up? Seriously? You were

supposed to be here over an hour ago!”

“Oh…right. About that,” he starts, his voice hurried and distracted. “Look, Abby, I got swamped here.

Thought maybe you wouldn’t mind if I sat this one out. You know, have dinner by yourself? You can

save me some leftovers for tomorrow, right?”

Tears pr ick at my eyes, and I feel a twinge of anger. “This wasn’t just about the food, Adam! It was

about spending time together, reconnecting. This

actually wanted you to follow through with our

he interrupts. “Don’t make a mountain out of a

whimper, biting my lip to keep

“I’m sorry, Abbs. I didn’t think it would be that big of a

you know?”

week, when you took me out?” I counter, sarcasm dripping from my

annoyed now. “Just like last week, when I took you out

request,

huff angrily. “Be honest with me, Adam,” I say, pinching the bridge

have gone with me if you had been able to work

restaurant and you had

I can almost hear him gritting his teeth on the other end, and it’s a few

night, I would have, Abby. You

is to me. But we still

I knew all along that he would have rather

is like reopening a

ods. “Admit it: we

hiss. “Yeah, the dancing

like you always do when we’re together. It’s like… It’s like

unless

The sounds of the bustling kitchen coming through

can hear him put his hand over

it only makes my blood boil even more. It’s like I’m

says. “Of course

wanting to get into that aspect anymore. I’ve noticed how much Adam likes

that’s his own

all that, you…” I hesitate, the hurt from that evening

intimate with me.”

in the details—the vibrant colors of the

lace curtains from the soft evening breeze.

few hours ago.

is silent again,

“Adam?” I call out.

clears his throat. “I don’t wanna talk about it,” he

about our relationship?” I ask,

me right now, and I can’t be in

just reschedule?”

final straw. Tears stream down my face, and I struggle to form

I put my heart and soul into tonight. This

can just push to another

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