Let's Pretend It Doesn't Hurt

"Hey," he said with a smile.

It's been several months since I've last seen him, but the memories came rushing back as vividly as if all those months didn't exist at all, as if I didn't spend all that time telling myself to forget him, that I should forget him. "Hi." "How have you been?" he asked. 

I miss you.

"I'm pretty good," I said, smiling back at him and trying my hardest to act like my heart is not beating so fast. "Work has been really crazy lately, but it's all good. How about you? How's it going?"

"Oh, you know. Same old, same old," he said while he juggled a folder in one hand and a coffee cup in the other. "I'll be in town for a few weeks. The company decided that I should be with the training team while they work on our latest project here. Hey, we should grab a few drinks sometimes."

I would be lying if I said that I haven't been dreaming of this moment when I would finally see him again.

I would tell him how sorry I am for everything, and like magic, things would get back to the way it was before.

"Sure," I said. "Do you want to go to old Miller's place-- "

My question was cut short as a woman approached us. Eric's face lit up when he saw her, just as all the secret hopes I've been nursing all those months came shattering painfully one by one.

He used to look at me that way.

"Hey babe, I didn't know you'd be out early," he smiled at her as she came to where we were standing, and she kissed him.

"I wasn't expecting it either," she said, showing off a perfectly beautiful smile.

"Oh, that's good. I can show you around town before dinner," he told her before turning back to me. "Babe, I'd like you to meet Sam. Sam, this is Lisa, my girlfriend."

I don't know how I was able to fake the brightest smile at that moment, but I did. I fucking did.

I could feel my heart breaking but I was able to smile, dammit, and pretended like it didn't kill me.