“That was rough,” the barista comments as he starts to mop up the ground.
“Yeah. But I deserved it.”
The barista nods at me as if he knew that was the case.
I reek of French vanilla when I finally get back to the apartment. Emily’s car is in the driveway, so I know she’s home. There was no way of hiding what happened since I didn’t have a spare shirt to change into on the way home.
When I walk into the apartment, Emily has music playing as she vacuums. I can hear her moving around as I slowly make my way up the stairs.
She startles when she spots me covered in coffee stains.
“What happened to you?” She gasps as a hand covers her mouth in shock.
“Let me shower, and I’ll tell you.”
Emily nods, and I give her a peck on her nose before making my way into the bathroom.
By the time I’m showered and dressed, I find Emily waiting for me in the living room. She has an episode of Friends playing while Buffy sleeps on her lap. Spike is sleeping in a sunny spot across the back of the couch.
I run my hands through my damp hair anxiously. I’m not sure how this is going to go, but I know it’s time to come clean.I move to sit across from her, and Emily notices the distance I purposely left between us. She sits up straighter, dislodging Buffy, who yowls in protest.
“What is it?” Her brows furrow in concern.
“I need to tell you something,” I start, hands clenched in my lap. I take in a deep breath and tell her everything. “I haven’t been completely honest with you.”
I can see her anxiety mounting, and I gesture with my hands for her to wait.
“I just saw Melissa. She’s the one who threw her coffee at me.”
“Melissa? Your ex?” Emily pales, the color draining from her face as she takes in my words.
“It was nothing. I needed to see her in person to tell her that things were definitely over for us.”
“What do you mean? I thought you guys have been over?”
“Yes and… no.” I sigh and run my hands across my face. “You know that I broke off the engagement back in October.”
Emily nods for me to continue.
“Well… it wasn’t the last time that we…”
“You guys had sex?” She gapes at me, and I feel like the biggest dirtbag in the entire universe.
“Yes.” I hang my head in shame.
“Oh my god.” I glance up to see she’s covered her mouth with her hands in horror.
“It was just the one time, and I knew it was a mistake,” I rush to explain, but I don’t know if my words are making things worse.
“One time?” Her throat bobs as she gulps.
“Yes, only once. In November. Before you and I even moved in together.” My leg bounces in agitation. The urge to rush to her and hold her in my arms is impossible to ignore.
“Oh. Okay.” She seems unsure what to do with the news.
“That’s not all. Melissa has been messaging me since then. I’ve ignored all of her messages until today.”
“Today. Why today?”
