Flutter

I felt a flutter in my chest when I sat across from him in the coffee shop. We had been friends for quite some time, and I usually loved his company, but today was different.

As we talked, I found myself engrossed in what he was saying, giggling at his jokes, and experiencing an unexplainable tingle of warmth whenever his eyes landed on mine. I couldn't dispute that I was having more fun than usual with you two together, but I couldn't explain why.

After we had said our goodbyes and I had gone away, it sank in. I had feelings for him. I had been for a while, but I was still unable to see clearly enough to forgive myself for the mistakes I had made in our past.

Suddenly, all of our earlier interactions and memories came flooding back to me, and it all made perfect sense. The thrill I felt when he held my hand, the anticipation I felt whenever he sent me a text, the gnawing envy I felt whenever he spoke about other women.

I didn't know what to do with myself when I discovered that I had always loved him. I was horrified at the prospect of telling him, but I also knew I couldn't keep these emotions hidden long.

My thoughts as I walked home were consumed by what would happen if I told him I loved him. What if he shared your sentiments? Or would he turn me down, ending our friendship? Worse yet, what if he completely forgets about me?

If no one else feels the same way, I won't force it. I'd rather he not try to force himself to recall the details.

I was nervous about taking the plunge, but I knew I had to. I could not keep acting as though nothing was wrong. Even if it cost me everything, I had to let him know how I felt about him.

I gathered my composure, wrote out my thoughts, and sent the message. My chest was about to explode as I waited for him to respond.

But when he answered, all my worries vanished. That was how he felt too. And right then I realized that my feelings for him were genuine and worth risking everything for.

We chatted civilly over coffee about our respective jobs and personal lives. Nonetheless, they were both aware that something was unsaid between them.

Braxton finally spoke out after a long pause. Artemesia, I realize that our relationship ended horribly, but I've always regretted how it did. I still have feelings for you, and I hope we can work things out.

I gave him a puzzled look. Those were the last words she had hoped to hear from him. For the previous three years, she had been making an effort to put the past behind her and move on. She knew there was still something special about him, though.

Did he recover some of his memory?

Is it true that "your memory is back?"

His head bobbed in agreement. This makes me grin ear to ear.

"I've missed you too, Braxto," I admitted at last.

There was a reason why things ended badly, though. We can't act as if everything is fine right now.

And he indicated his assent with a nod. "I know. I don't want to give up the memories we shared, though, since I know we had something truly unique.

I inhaled deeply. If I had let him in again, she might have been hurt again. She knew deep down that her feelings for him remained unchanged.

"Okay," she said at last. Let's go at a leisurely pace. To find out what happens next, let's start afresh.

His face lit up with a grin of relief. To Artemesia, with gratitude. I'll do my best not to disappoint you.

I felt a glimmer of optimism as they walked out of the coffee shop. She understood that mending fences with an ex was difficult but that true love was worth the effort.

He extended his hand and took hers as they strolled along the sidewalk. I realized then that they still had a shot at making things work. They were given a second chance to create something wonderful together.

I had given up hope of ever seeing him again, yet now he stood before me, looking as dashing as I recalled. We had both uttered hurtful things in haste, and the conversation had ended badly.

I knew we were in for a long journey as he swept me up in his arms. However, I finally felt optimistic again. I was optimistic that we could fix things and create something wonderful by working together.

It's as if I'm the only one in the world when he stares at me. I've never seen such raw emotion in someone's eyes as I see in his. When he touches me, something inside me lights up and I feel more alive than I ever have.

I never thought it was possible to be so effortlessly enveloped by someone else's affection, but I feel that way with him. He has been there for me through thick and thin, cheering me on as I pursue my goals and interests. When I'm around him, I don't have to put on any sort of mask or pretend.

I'm not sure if I've truly found true love or if I'm just caught up in a fleeting fling. When he wraps his arms around me, though, I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I can always count on him to be there for me.

Before meeting him, I never thought that fairy tales could be real, but now I feel like everything is possible. I try to live up to his love for me every day, and I know he feels the same way about me. Immersing yourself in his affection is the most breathtaking and satisfying thing I've ever done.

*

The beach was bathed in a warm golden light as the sun dropped over the water. When I learned that Braxton had recovered his memories after what had happened, everything made sense. It's all better now.

Because I was so obstinate, he said, he threatened legal action only to attract my attention. He assumed I had abandoned him because I hadn't called or texted to say goodbye. He was upset that I had left without saying goodbye or even showing up. In his mind, such was the case. But I saw it for myself, so you're wrong about that. I beg and plead with them to let me talk to him in front of his parents. I really needed to be with him, but neither of them did. Even though his father assured him that I had left without saying goodbye, they had me believe that he had suffered some sort of memory loss. He constantly misleads Braxton.

I called to apologize but he didn't pick up the phone. After a few days of leaving him several messages, I finally gave up. That's what I used to do, in fact. I'm astonished and saddened since I didn't stop when they urged me to. To think that they would actually do it floored me. That's how badly they wanted me to disappear from their existence.

When I asked his dad if there was anything I could do, he said it was too late and I should just go on. The loss hit me hard. That day, I cried and felt terrible the entire time.

Braxton explained that his father had mislead me and apologized for not returning my calls sooner. He said his dad was trying to break us apart and that he'd been listening in on our conversations and telling us lies. He didn't want his son to date me and apparently didn't like me.

Indignant, I was. How could they be so vicious and manipulative? It was unbelievable to me that my boyfriend's dad would want to destroy our love. Because of his behavior, I feel misled and saddened.

I am at a loss for words as to how to approach this problem. I want to talk to his dad about the harm he's done, but I'm worried about making things worse. I really hope that things may be better between my partner and I. It will take some time for me to trust my lover again, much alone his entire family.

And I, Braxton...

Together, we uncovered a means of evasion.

They held my hand as we strolled along, their bare feet sliding into the soft sand. We'd been waiting months for this beach trip, and now that it had finally arrived, they were going to make the most of it.

As we got closer to the shore, Jack stripped down to his underwear and dashed into the ocean. As I watched him, laughter and happiness filled my heart. It had been two years since they'd first met, and every day since then had been an exciting new experience.

With her sandals removed, I waded into the river and let the salty water refresh her feet. Braxton gave her a playful splash, and she returned the favor. They splashed and giggled as they chased each other around the pool.

They returned to the shore as the sun began to drop and settled in for a peaceful evening of sunset watching. Braxton retrieved a bottle of wine and two glasses from his bag.

"Here's to us," he toasted, raising his glass.

With a grin on my face, I clinked her glass with his. "To us."

As the sun set and the sky turned golden, pink, and purple, we sipped their wine. I felt Braxton's arm around me as he drew her closer. So that she might hear his heartbeat, I put her head on his chest.

"This is perfect," she murmured.

Braxton planted a kiss on her scalp. Simply put, "You're perfect."

They watched the sky light up with stars in silence. The calmness and contentment she felt, and knew could only come from being with Jack, was palpable.

A day later. As I laid on my beach towel next to the man I loved, the sound of the waves was a welcome distraction. After being together for a year, this was our first chance to take a trip together. When I looked over at him, a warm fuzzy feeling filled me.

He was sunbathing on his stomach, reading a book, and looking really handsome. The wind had blown his hair in a messy style, and I found myself drawn to him. He looked up at me, smiling, when I reached down and ran my fingers through his hair.

"Enjoying yourself?" he asked, putting down his book.

I gave him a smile in return. "Yeah, that's quite cool. I still can't believe it, but we made it!

He straightened up and leaned in for a kiss on the cheek. His touch was soothing and comforting, and I found myself giving in to it completely.

"Me neither," he grinned. And yet, I'm relieved we made it.

We walked along the beach for the rest of the afternoon, pausing sometimes to look for shells and cool off our toes in the ocean. The conversation between us was easy and relaxed, and we chatted about everything and everything. I like spending time with him because we were able to relax and be ourselves without feeling self-conscious.

We sat on a seat and watched the sky turn hues as the sun went down. I felt so cherished and protected as he wrapped his arm around me.

I looked up at him and said, "I am so grateful for you."

He looked down at me and smiled, his eyes glowing with kindness. I appreciate you, too. You improve things infinitely.

We sat in relaxed calm, taking in the splendor of the setting. As the sun sank below the horizon, I realized that I had finally found my place in the world: holding the hand of the guy I loved, strolling hand in hand along a breathtaking beach.

I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude as we repacked their bags and returned them to their hotel room. I was aware that there will be difficulties and struggles in life. But right now, I couldn't care less about anything else but my own happiness.