Chapter 13: You Again

I blinked a couple of times to see if I was having a horrible nightmare. No way was I really seeing my ex-boyfriend.

Jason was still as handsome as ever with his sharp jawline and full lips. His hairstyle was the only thing majorly different about him. When we were dating, he had dyed his hair blond and it was a little past his ears. Now it was cut into a classic combed back style that really fit his face shape.

He was even wearing a nice suit and tie, which was new. The Jason I knew always hated wearing suits and swore he’d never wear one.

What were the odds that he’d come into the same store as me? We hadn’t seen each other after our breakup. Though, I had kept his number in hopes of him wanting me back. I was foolish to have thought that way.

My heart betrayed me by beating rapidly as Jason came closer into view. I hated that his mere presence had such an effect on me.

We had dated for a couple of years. Jason had broken up with me after telling me that things were too serious and that he needed a break. I was absolutely devastated and had cried about him for months. My heart never fully recovered from that breakup.

How could I let him affect me so easily after all these years? I should’ve been over this man by now. It was pointless to hold onto someone that clearly hadn’t wanted me.

He had clearly moved on, as I saw his arm wrapped around a woman with luxurious blonde hair. She almost looked like a movie star. Her hair was in beautiful waves while her low-cut designer dress showed off her long legs. To top everything off, her shoes were expensive looking pumps.

It didn’t shock me that he’d end up with another blonde. He had even told me that he only dated blonde women. Thinking back, Jason was kind of shallow. He cared about looks more than my actual personality.

I snapped back to the present and had a gut feeling. I knew that I still loved him, despite seeing that he was taken. There was something about him that I couldn’t quite let go. Why did I have to cross paths with him again?

I almost wished I hadn’t come to the store. This was too much to see him again. I didn’t like having such old feelings come back to me and take over.

I knew it was futile to try to get away from interacting with him and the new woman but tried anyway. Slowly, I started to walk in the opposite direction.

My plan didn’t work, as I heard Jason’s voice call out to me. “Danica, is that really you?”

Crap. He wasn’t going to let me get away. Now I had to face him and try to act like nothing was wrong.

I turned around and reluctantly came over to Jason and his company. “Yep, it’s really me. But are you really Jason Harris? You’re wearing a suit.”

He laughed a little while his companion gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Then she repositioned herself so that she was clinging onto his arm. I had never seen someone get so possessive.

Was she a little afraid of me? It wasn’t as if I had tried to make a move on him. I’d never do that to another woman’s man.

Seconds later, Jason smiled his dazzling way and said, “I may have changed in style since the last time we saw each other.” He added, “I’m just sorry we had to meet up like this.”

I was surprised to hear him apologize like that. Was he truly sorry for not seeing me by himself? That was interesting for someone who was my ex.

I finally replied, “No, it’s fine. I’m glad you moved on.”

Jason seemed taken aback and asked, “Are you seeing anyone new?”

This was tricky for me. Was I actually going to reveal that I was single?

The woman beside him started looking a little impatient.

She could’ve left us alone to catch up, but of course I knew she wouldn’t leave his side. I was sure she was threatened by my presence. Not that I actually was a threat.

We were just catching up. It was surprising how friendly Jason was being towards me, especially since he had ended things. We hadn’t even said we’d stay friends after we stopped dating.

I ended up saying, “I’m not seeing anyone yet.”

Jason looked intrigued and asked, “What do you mean by that? Is there someone you’re talking to?”

I was putting myself into a deeper hole. Why had I added the “yet” part? Now he thought I was on my way to having a new guy. I had to change the subject before he found out I was very single.

“Are you still working at the same job?”

He shook his head no and explained, “I quit that job and got a new one. It’s a higher pay than my old one.” He added, “What about you? Do you still work at that upscale restaurant?”

His companion sighed loudly and looked at him in annoyance. She was really starting to get jealous.

I told him, “Nope. I quit that job and got a new one.”

Jason asked, “At a new restaurant?”

I shook my head and wondered how much I should actually tell him. He really had no right to know about Dax and my job.

The woman looked at him and cut in, “I’m Addison. I happen to be his girlfriend.”

Addison gave a sharp look to Jason and he said, “Addison, this is Danica. We used to date.”

She looked absolutely infuriated at him and then looked at me up and down. I could tell she was already judging me. I was sure a woman like her was used to being that way.

It was humiliating to have her trying to assess me as if I was a piece of clothing. Why couldn’t she have just ignored me? The whole situation was getting worse by the second.

Addison scoffed and said, “I remember seeing you waitressing at that diner downtown. What are you doing in a place you can’t afford?”

Jason tried to cut in and said, “Addison, please don’t do this here.”

She ignored his plea and continued, “You should go somewhere like the thrift shop. That seems more like your type of store. Run along and go back to where you truly belong.”

Her words had stung me so badly. I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to hold back from crying.

Hot tears started to stream down my face. Addison had gone too far, and it was the last straw for me. I had to get out of the store before she said anymore hurtful words.

I couldn’t be at a place that didn’t even want me there. People were probably staring at me, but I didn’t care. I turned around to head for the exit in a hurry.

My tears blurred my vision as I turned to leave and bumped into someone. When I looked up, I was shocked at seeing Dax’s familiar face staring back at me.