Lost Me Gained Regret



Greg didn't make it home for dinner that evening, and since Dailey had been handling a lot of his issues, he felt it was only right to check in. He couldn't always be hands-off about these things.

After feeding the baby, I sat down at the dinner table and noticed Christine scrolling through her phone, absentmindedly moving her fork towards her mouth but not actually picking up any food.

"Are you caught up with work stuff? Because I can start helping out now," I offered.

Christine shook her head, "It's nothing."

She put her phone down and added, "Just personal stuff."

We rarely kept secrets from each other, and Christine wasn't one to hide things well. Something was off.

I remembered that things had been a bit tense between her and Dailey recently.

"Have you finally given up on chasing after Dailey?"

Christine hummed a response, "Let's not talk about him. Eat some more, you need to keep your strength up."

She kept piling food onto my plate until it was almost a small mountain. I had to put my hand up to stop her.

"Is it because of the legendary first love?"

Christine put her fork down, "Even if I still had feelings, I wouldn't do anything to hurt someone else's relationship."

Relationships were a tricky subject, and not one I usually stepped into.

"It's not always logical."

"Did you get it straight, though? Is there really a first love?"

Christine pointed to her eyes, "I'm not blind."

I said, "Seeing isn't always believing."

Christine clearly didn't want to dwell on the topic, "You're engaged now, what about your dress?"

"The year of mourning is almost up, you might not have time to get it made."

Christine usually didn't dodge relationship talks.

She was all for doing whatever she felt like.

-Grown adults, what's with the obsession with pure love?

That was her motto.

But now, she seemed to be caught up in the very thing she usually scoffed at.

"Do you have any ideas?" I decided not to linger on the subject either.

Christine wrapped an arm around me, laughing, "You know, I might actually have a solution."

At the bar.

Clarence raised his glass first, "Cheers to Greg, for the new addition to the family."

"And here's to you and your fiancée, may your lives be smooth sailing, healthy, and happy."

Greg clinked glasses with him, smirking, "You're sounding like a dad, man. What, getting jealous? Wanting to be a father yourself?"

Clarence sighed, "I'd like to, but the lady's not responding."

Greg's gaze slid over to Dailey, asking, "Got serious feelings?"

Clarence leaned in closer, "Greg, you know Christine and your fiancée are close. Could you put in a good word for me? I know I've been a bit of a player, but this time, I swear I'm serious."

Greg narrowed his eyes, "She's already turned you down, why keep chasing? There are plenty of fish in the sea."

"She hasn't turned me down."

"Not turned you down?"

Greg glanced at Dailey, asking, "How so?"

Clarence explained, "She just says she's busy, which I get. After all, she's your fiancée's best friend, and with all that's been going on, she's obviously got a lot on her plate."

"I don't want to bother her too much, just waiting till she's less busy." "Greg, maybe you could also put in a word for me when the time's right."

Greg's smile held a hint of something more as he kicked Dailey lightly.

"Here I am, sacrificing time with my wife and daughter to have drinks with you, and you're making me watch you play the brooding boy?"

"If you're not up for a drink, I can leave."

"Don't, man."

Clarence stopped him, "He's been like this, zoning out. Don't let it bother you, I'll keep Greg company."

"Zoning out?"

Greg knew the score but pretended to inquire.

Clarence was the first to speak up,

I.ne

"I've been wondering too. The ex-girlfriend he's been hung up on finally comes back, and they're. trying to make things work again. What's he got to be brooding

about?"

S