Chapter 22: No More Running

Evelyn sat in her apartment, staring at the city lights flickering through the window. Her hands gripped the warm ceramic of her tea cup, though the tea inside had long since gone cold. The conversation with Alexander earlier still echoed in her mind, a constant loop of words she wished she could change but knew she couldn't take back.

She sighed, placing the cup on the coffee table. She had spent the last few days avoiding him, telling herself that space was necessary, that time would heal whatever tension had grown between them. But instead of healing, the distance had only deepened the ache in her chest.

Her phone buzzed on the table. For a moment, she hesitated, afraid to see his name on the screen, afraid of what she might say if she answered. But when she picked it up, it wasn't Alexander.

"Hey, Evelyn, it's Claire. Are you free tonight? I was thinking of grabbing a drink."

Evelyn exhaled in relief. Claire. A safe distraction.

"Yeah, that sounds good. I could use a night out," she replied.

An hour later, Evelyn found herself sitting across from Claire at a small rooftop bar, the music playing softly in the background. Claire swirled her cocktail before taking a sip, eyeing Evelyn carefully. 

"Alright, spill. What's going on? You look like you've been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders."

Evelyn let out a soft laugh. "Is it that obvious?"

Claire tilted her head. "To me, yes."

Evelyn sighed, stirring her drink with the small straw before finally admitting, "It's Alexander. Things have been...complicated."

Claire nodded knowingly. "You two have always been complicated. What's new?"

Evelyn hesitated before saying, "I think I might have crossed a line this time. Or maybe we both did. I don't know."

Claire didn't push, just let Evelyn take her time. After a moment, Evelyn continued, "We had this conversation about what we mean to each other, and for the first time, I think I really saw how much he cares. But I also saw how much I hurt him by not acknowledging it before."

Claire raised an eyebrow. "And how do you feel about him?"

Evelyn swallowed, gripping her glass tighter. "I don't know. Or maybe I do, but I'm too afraid to admit it."

Claire leaned in, her voice softer now. "Eve, you can't keep running from your own feelings. If you care about him, if you love him, then you owe it to yourself to be honest."

Evelyn glanced down at her drink, watching the ice cubes slowly melt. Love. The word felt too heavy, too real. And yet, denying it felt like a lie.

Just as she was about to respond, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Alexander.

Her heart pounded as she read the message: "Can we talk? I need to see you."

Claire glanced at the screen and smirked. "Looks like the universe isn't going to let you run away this time."

Evelyn took a deep breath. Maybe it was time to stop running.