Susan

Susan

By the time I got home, the night's events were still replaying in my head. Meera's laughter, Elliot's smirk, the way my heart had betrayed me by skipping a beat when our fingers brushed...all of it swirled around like an annoying little storm I couldn't escape.

I placed the notepad on the kitchen counter and stared at it like it was to blame for everything. If I'd just remembered to grab it from the conference room, none of this would've happened.

But it did happen. And now I was back in the tangled mess that was Elliot Prescott.

"You're over him," I muttered to myself, opening the fridge in search of a distraction. "It's been ten years. You're a grown woman. You don't care anymore."

I pulled out a bottle of water and shut the fridge door with more force than necessary. Unfortunately, my little pep talk wasn't doing much to calm the flutter in my chest.

I grabbed my phone and flopped onto the couch, scrolling mindlessly through social media. Anything to stop thinking about the man who had once been my entire world.

****

Elliot

The quiet hum of my car was the only sound as I drove through the city, Susan's face lingering in my mind.

She hadn't changed much. Still stunning. Still sharp. Still capable of turning my carefully constructed world on its head with just a glance.

And yet, there was something different about her. A guardedness that hadn't been there before. The Susan I knew back then had been open, warm, her emotions spilling out like sunlight. This Susan was a fortress.

I parked outside my building and leaned back in the seat, staring out at the city lights. I told myself I'd gone to the bar to return her notepad. That was it. Simple, professional, no ulterior motives.

But I couldn't deny the way my chest had tightened when I saw her laugh, the sound stirring something I thought I'd buried years ago.

I shook my head, running a hand through my hair. This wasn't the time to get sentimental.

Susan Hart was back in my life, whether I liked it or not. And I had a feeling she wasn't leaving anytime soon.

****

Flashback: Ten Years Ago

"Come on, Elliot! We're going to miss it!"

Susan's voice was breathless with excitement as she tugged on my arm, her laughter ringing out as we sprinted toward the campus theater.

"I don't even like musicals," I grumbled, though the smile tugging at my lips betrayed me.

She stopped abruptly, turning to face me with her hands on her hips. "You're such a liar, Prescott. You loved Les Misérables. I saw you tearing up during 'I Dreamed a Dream.'"

"I wasn't tearing up," I said defensively. "There was something in my eye."

"Sure there was," she said, rolling her eyes before grabbing my hand again. "Now hurry up! I don't want to miss the opening number."

We made it just in time, slipping into our seats as the lights dimmed. Susan was practically vibrating with excitement, her eyes glued to the stage.

I, on the other hand, found myself more captivated by her. The way her face lit up at the music, the way she leaned forward in her seat, completely engrossed...it was impossible not to be drawn to her.

By the time the final curtain fell, I was convinced she could make me enjoy anything, even musicals.

"So?" she asked as we walked back to her dorm, her arm linked with mine. "What did you think?"

"It was...okay," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

She stopped walking and gave me a look. "Just okay?"

I chuckled, pulling her closer. "It was great, Susan. Really."

Her smile was radiant, and in that moment, I knew I'd do anything to see her happy.

****

Present Day: Susan

I closed my eyes, letting the memory wash over me. It had been one of our best nights together, back when everything had felt easy and perfect.

But perfection never lasts.

I opened my eyes and stared at the notepad on the counter. Maybe Meera was right. Maybe I was a ticking time bomb.

And Elliot Prescott was the spark that could set me off.