She watched as Shauna drove off with her boyfriend, Rich, and thought again about what could have been. She thought about the first time he had kissed her, and how romantic that had been. She could no longer watch The Little Mermaid; it brought back too many memories. What would have happened if Nick would have called her? If she would have called him? Would they have a four-year-old son? Would they be planning their wedding today? Maybe not. Maybe they would have broken up somewhere along the line and maybe they would not even be on speaking terms. Though it was a slight comfort to know that it might not have worked out, she still supposed it would be better than this. He never even knew he had a son.
The phone rang, jolting her from her thoughts, and she picked it up. Hopefully it wasn’t work. She worked at an art supply store, and they were always calling her for overtime. “Beth here,” she said professionally. Nothing. Silence. Probably a telemarketer. “Is someone there?” Still nothing. “Look, I’m a busy woman. I’m hanging – “
“Lizzy?” The voice was familiar.
“Who is this?” Beth whispered. She almost laughed at her dumb question. Like it could have been anyone else…it had to be him. No one had even known he called her Lizzy.
“It’s Nick.”
She dropped the phone, but quickly regained her composure and picked it up again. “Very funny. Who is this, really?” she said flatly.
“It’s Nick. I swear to God, it’s Nick.”
“Wh-what do you want?” She sounded more weak than as mad at him as she really was.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Are you going to answer me? What do you want?” This time she did sound threatening.
“I wanted to apologize for being an asshole and maybe catch up a little bit,” he stated.
“Okay, why don’t we start with the apology?” she said coldly.
“I’m sorry I never called you and we lost touch. I didn’t call because we got so caught up in work that I never had time, and when we finally did, I thought you’d be way too mad to even talk to me. Besides, by that time, I figured you’d given up and gotten a new boyfriend.”
Again, she had to hold back a laugh. No way would she have gotten a boyfriend with a tummy as big as hers had been at that time. “I didn’t get a new boyfriend,” she stated.
“I’m sorry.”
She sighed, contemplating over whether or not he sounded sincere. “I guess…I guess you’re forgiven. My God, Nick, what made you call me after all these years?”
“I guess I missed you.” He paused. “So what have you been up to?”
“I’m graduating next month.”
“From college?”
“Yeah, from college. With a degree in art.”
“Art? Awesome!”
“Nick, why did you really call me?” she groaned. There had to be a real motive to it. People didn’t just pick up the phone and call their ex-girlfriends after five years.
“I called because I wanted to get you back.”
“WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!? What would make you think I would even dream of dating you again?”
“No, not like dating. I meant our friendship. You must not have heard that I’m engaged now.”
She couldn’t help but notice a sinking feeling in her stomach. “Oh…you are?”
“Yeah, I am. Her name is Christina. You’d like her, I think.”
“Okay, well, anyway, you want to get my friendship back? Why now?”
“Because we’re on break for the summer and if you accept my offer, I will actually have time to spend with you.”
“What offer? The offer of becoming friends again?”
“Well, that and…IwantyoutocomelivewithmeinFloridathissummer,” he spilled quickly.
“What? You mean, live in your house?”
“Yeah, with me and Christina. Where else?”
“How does Christina feel about all this?”
“She trusts me.”
“Nick, I was – “ she paused before saying “pregnant with your child,” reminding herself that she hadn’t told him that. “I was your serious girlfriend for over nine months. Is she crazy? I mean, I thought you were a trustworthy guy when we were dating, but to have a girl living with you in your house who you’ve had such a history with…”
Though that comment upset him, he struggled to stay calm. “Look, Beth, I’m completely, one-hundred percent over you. I’m happy with Christina, but I want to be friends with you again. I miss you.”
She sighed. “Look, can I get back to you? This is a really big decision, and I want to think it out first.”
“Sure, no problem. My cell number is 555-1029. Call me back when you decide.”
“Okay. Bye.”
“Bye.”
As soon as she hung up, she collapsed into a chair. What was she going to do?