My Boyfriend’s Ex Crashed Our Date to Invite Us to Dinner, but the Real Shock Came Later – Story of the Day
I believed that a peaceful retreat at my friend’s lake property would aid in my recovery from the tumultuous breakup. However, just as things were starting to get exciting, her charming brother showed up, and his history abruptly interrupted our evening. Everything altered with what followed.
I always saw him when I closed my eyes. His arrogant expression when he informed me that he had “found someone else.” As though it were that simple. As though the years we spent together were unimportant.
My ex had a knack for making me feel insignificant and like I was to blame for everything that went wrong. My abode served as a constant reminder of that suffering. I felt like I was choking.
I had to get out. Anywhere but here. It was therefore like a lifeline when Joanna called.
“Come stay with me at the lake house,” she stated.
I made no hesitation at all. It was flawless.
I packed as much as I could into a suitcase and left the following day. The expanse of the lake resembled a gigantic mirror. The air didn’t smell like grief, and the trees swayed as if they knew a tranquil secret. It smelled of new chances and pine.
As I stood on the porch, I absorbed everything
“Liv!” Joanna emerged with a wave and drew me into a too tight embrace.
“You look like you’ve seen better days.”
I laughed and pretended to be angry. “Gee, thanks,” I said.
She smiled. “Go inside, please. I created your fave.
I gave an eye roll. “You mean wine?”
She gave a wink. “You know me too well.”
I believed that perhaps everything could be alright for the first time in a very long time. We talked for hours on end, mostly about pointless topics like how strange it is that people choose to get up early to run and how much we both detest it. It felt as though we had been hanging out for ages.
The footsteps then appeared.
He was there when I turned. Seth. Time had been kind, even if I hadn’t seen Joanna’s brother in years. He flashed one of those smiles that makes you forget the meaning of words.
“Hey,” Seth remarked in a calm voice, as if he hadn’t just upended my entire equilibrium.
“Hi,” I said.
Very smooth, Olivia.
“Joanna said you’d be staying.” He combed his hair with his hand. “Hope I’m not interrupting.”
Joanna gave him a glance. “She’s not here to be bothered, Seth.”
“Who said I was bothering?” There was a gleam in Seth’s eye, but he raised his hands in surrender.
I blurted, “I’m fine,” feeling like a teenager once more. Indeed. Not worried.
“Alright, well, I’ll see you around.”
Joanna gave me an elbow as he left. “He’s single, you know.”
I let out a groan. “Oh no, we are not doing this.”
As she poured me another glass of wine, she chuckled. Simply maintain an open mind. I’m just stating that.”
Seth had just vanished, so I looked toward the door. A strange little flip occurred in my heart.
“I came here to escape, not to… complicate things.”
Joanna’s song, “Complications make life interesting,”
I held up my glass. “Here’s to hoping you’re wrong.”
But I knew in my heart that she wasn’t.
The initial days were restful. In the evenings, the three of us would sit outside and talk about life while giggling over absurd recollections, and I would find myself appreciating how simple it all was.
Seth didn’t make an effort to be affable. He was simply himself. Calm, laid-back, and usually adding a “you know” at the end of his sentences, which I found strangely reassuring.
He seemed close to Joanna, I noted. There was a lot of care between them, but they also had a natural sibling bond and teased each other about little things.
Seth leaned back in his chair and glanced at me one evening after we had completed dinner.
“Hey, how about we go out to supper tomorrow? Me and you alone?
I was taken aback and blinked. “Supper? Tomorrow?
“Yeah, I thought we might as well go out for a change since we’ve been hanging out here.”
I looked at Joanna, who was obviously amused by her brother’s unexpected offer since she arched an eyebrow but remained silent.
Yes, indeed. Yes, why not? I felt a little out of my element when I finally responded.
“Excellent,” Seth responded, rising as if he had simply proposed that we go for coffee rather than a date. “I’ll come get you at seven o’clock.”
I glanced at Joanna, who was smiling, as he left.
“What?” My cheeks were heated as I asked.
She continued to smirk as she responded, “Nothing.” Simply put, Seth never asks people out on dates. This is novel.
I scowled. “Is that meant to improve my mood?”
She shook her head and laughed.
“Calm down, Liv. You are liked by him. That’s a positive thing.
I muttered, “Perhaps,” but as I sat there, I couldn’t help but worry whether I had just committed to something far more complex than I was prepared for.
When we first sat in the restaurant, everything appeared to be ideal. The setting was cozy, the food was excellent, and Seth was being his typical easygoing self.
I began to feel a little more at ease with him as we laughed and discussed everything and nothing. Then his phone began to buzz.
It buzzed again after he initially dismissed it. And once more.
Getting up, he said, “Sorry, I’ll be right back,” and went outside.
Why is it so crucial that it cannot wait?
I made an effort to savor my food, but my gaze kept going to the door. He returned with a smile as if nothing had occurred.
“Everything okay?”
A nonchalant “Yeah, just some work stuff,” he replied.
Then it occurred once again. His phone chimed halfway through our dessert, so he excused himself once more.
I was unable to sit motionless at the time. I stood up and followed him out in silence. Seth was standing there talking to another woman when I looked at them.
Who is she?
They saw me. Seth appeared surprised.
“Oh, Olivia, this is Lauren.” He hesitated.
“My ex-wife.”
I was at a loss for words. Lauren put on a cheerful smile.
“Why don’t you both come to dinner tomorrow?” she responded.
Seth… agreed before I could even consider saying no! He tried to reassure me later.
“It’s nothing. That was a long time ago. “Dinner sounds good,” Seth responded with a soothing, tranquil smile.
I was shocked!
Having dinner with his former partner? Really?
However, I had no good reason to refuse. I didn’t want to come across as jealous or insecure because he seemed to be treating it so casually.
Seth and Lauren’s dinner was awkward from the beginning. Lauren quickly made herself at home, sitting far too near Seth for my comfort.
“So, do you recall that beach trip we took?” Lauren began, with a nostalgic tone in her voice. “Back then, we were such a great pair. Everyone believed that we would endure forever.
She leaned closer to Seth and laughed. I moved around in my chair, attempting to remain composed.
I didn’t want to allow her to succeed in her attempt to irritate me. Seth gave her brief but kind responses, hardly responding at all.
He seemed almost bored as he responded, “Yeah, that was a long time ago.”
But I was at my breaking point. I got up and pushed my chair back.
Without waiting for an answer, I murmured, “I’m going to get some fresh air.”
Why am I here at all?
The cool night air outside was somewhat helpful. I didn’t know how to deal with it all because it felt so complicated.
My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a little voice.
“Are you and my dad present?”
I turned to see a young girl rubbing her eyes, which were sleepy. My heart stopped beating.
Dad?
It was like a ton of bricks to me. Seth’s daughter was born.
“Oh, yeah, your father and I are here.”
The young girl’s innocence disarmed as she gazed up at me.
“Let’s locate him.”
“Obviously, my dear. Let’s search for him.
Seth snatched her up the moment I brought her to him.
“Hey, pumpkin. Is it time to go to bed?
He gave her a smile that I hadn’t seen all night.
As he carried her away to put her in, he remarked to me, “I’ll be right back.”
Does he have a daughter? How could I have missed this?
Lauren didn’t hesitate to make her move once Seth left. She took a step toward me.
“You know you don’t belong here.”
Startled, I blinked. “Pardon me?”
“Seth and I had a past together. along with a family. He never fails to return to us. This is merely a stage. Before you get wounded, you should get out.
Family? This is excessive.
My chest began to swell with panic.
I gathered my belongings and made my way out the door without saying anything else. I had to go before I totally lost myself.
As I zipped up my suitcase and took another look at my phone, the morning light came in through the curtains. Don’t text. No phone calls. The quiet was deafening.
Joanna entered. “Are you really leaving?”
I sat on the bed and sighed. “Jo, I can’t stay. He hasn’t even made contact. I feel like I have too much on my plate.
I had my ticket reserved by lunchtime.
I was deep in concentration as I gazed out the window halfway to the airport when I noticed a car rushing up next to us.
No, it’s not possible!
Seth was visible when I squinted to obtain a better view. Like he was on a mission, he was driving quickly.
Why is he in this place? To bid farewell? Or to prevent me?
I was just thankful that he showed up, even if I couldn’t tell.
Through the rearview mirror, the cabbie gave me a quick look. “You know him?”
“Yeah, I… I think so.”
Seth parked in front of the taxi after pulling over. When he arrived to the window, he gave me that recognizable calm expression.
“Olivia, wait.”
I rolled the window down. “What are you doing here, Seth?”
“I couldn’t allow you to go in this manner. I must tell you the truth. Additionally, I kept it a secret from you because I didn’t want to include you in my issue. However, I ought to have. You are entitled to all the information.
Unable to speak, I sat there. He briefly averted his gaze before turning it back to me.
“I’ve fallen in love with you, Olivia. I am aware of my baggage and that it is complicated. But you must stay with me. To see the true myself, I would like you to meet my children.
I struggled to balance the irresistible urge to stay and the safety of leaving. My heart, however, had the answer before my head. Knowing that sometimes the biggest risks result in the most beautiful rewards, I tore up the plane ticket.
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