Simon Bay and Cara Hill are living the beautiful life on the coast of North Carolina. They own two houses, one in the city, the other on the beach; a cat and a dog; and they both have reputable jobs as a conference speaker and budding author. Howe...
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When Cara woke up, the first thing she saw was her phone on her night standing, blinking with unread messages. Rubbing her eyes, she reached over and grabbed her cellular device. The messages were both from Simon and from Peter. Groaning, she dropped her head deep into her pillow; she had forgotten the amount of trouble she had gotten herself into.
Her first message was from Simon:
Cara, does Carmel get one walk or two walks a day? Also, my conference went well, I went home a day earlier. Hope you're doing well. - Simon
Flipping back to her inbox, she selected Peter's message. It scared her how much more excited she was to read his.
Cara, I want to try again. It was a mistake to take advantage of you. I didn't know, honestly, that I would want to get to know you better. I'm going out for coffee around 11. I'll send you the address. Please show up. Let's talk - Peter
Turning over in the bed, she glanced over at the empty space beside her. Slowly, she passed her hand over the side she had remembered seeing Simon lie every morning for two years. Had she grown bored of waking up to him? She had remembered the days where that was all that made her happy. The peace on his face and the way his hand would always manage to rest on her shoulder or arm when she would open her eyes.
Why was she doing this to Simon? Why was she questioning her love for him? Maybe it was because she didn't know there could be other people out there that she would develop feelings for. Or, at least experiment with. Her loyalty must have died when she shifted herself from a girl terribly in love to a maid with benefits.
Cara closed her eyes, squeezing out the temptation to meet Peter. Their next conference was about two o'clock. Having coffee and explaining themselves may smooth out their future interactions. Besides, she knew Lexi was probably still frustrated with her so sightseeing with her would be nothing but exhaustion.
Biting her bottom lip, she replied to both of them.
Hey Simon, he has two walks. I'll see you soon!
Her fingers were trembling, and she knew why. Responding would be her blatant choice that Simon wasn't as good as she had dreamed. Texting Peter would mean she was not satisfied with her relationship with Simon: the man who was willing to leave his job, leave his longtime girlfriend, and suffer from a horrid car accident.
It was selfishness and blindness that led Cara to continue her affair. Tying rapidly across her keyboard, she said: All right. I'll be there. I want to talk, too. - Cara.
Flinging the covers off of her, she dressed quickly and brushed her teeth, avoiding her reflection as much as she could. She fixed her hair with dry shampoo and lightly lit up her face with neutral make-up. It was just seeing someone else. Nothing would go wrong unless she wanted it to.
Cara grabbed her cellphone and wallet and left the hotel room. Determinedly, she marched down the hallway, her needs and her conscious colliding. Realising how foolish she was being for risking her relationship with Simon, she stopped. The surroundings around her faded into silence and her thoughts were pounding inside her head.
But it was for coffee.
Just for coffee.
Taking in a deep, stinging breath, she continued forward and before she knew it, she had walked through the chilly New York streets, past the stores she would've other-wised stopped and peeked through, and into the coffee shop. Her hands were wringing together as she stepped inside the cafe, her eyes nervously searching the tables, chairs, and front counter.
Smoothing out her hair and shirt, she began making her way through the studious people, wondering if he would stand her up. But, slightly to her dismay (for she was hoping he wouldn't be there), spotted him sitting by the window near the back. Stopping, she stood where she had seen him, wondering what she would do next.
Peter looked up from the book he was reading, which reminded her of the time she had first met Simon, and waved to her.
Waving back, Cara made her way to the table and sat down, faking a smile.
"You look nervous, you all right?" Peter closed his book and folded his hands.
"I don't know what I'm doing, honestly. I don't think we should continue this. I go home tomorrow. This isn't fair to Simon."
"It isn't fair to you, Cara. I'm sure Simon is an amazing man--,"
"He is," Cara finished quietly.
"But, you're like a firecracker, you know? How you..." Peter blushed and he leaned in, trying to hide his sheepish smile, "gave yourself to me, is absolutely amazing. The way you talk and carry yourself is not what I've ever seen in any twenty-year-old I've met."
"Peter, sex isn't what's important, okay? I-I know how it feels. The touching, the kissing, and everything. I wanted that from Simon the first time I met him, but, he didn't want that. It's my fault I got in this situation with you. You're attractive, smart, and I gave into it. And I'm stupid. And compulsive."
"Okay, I understand, Cara I do. You don't want to try it. A chance to get away from reality--,"
"Peter, everything becomes a reality. Simon texted me this morning about the dog while you're talking about meeting up for coffee and to discuss disloyalty--,"
"What disloyalty? You're not committed to anyone else. That's what I learned. Until you have a ring on--,"
Cara held up her hand and pointed to the diamond on her left finger. "I do have a ring. And really? That's how you think? If I'm not married, it's okay to mess around?"
Peter huffed and looked down at his coffee he hadn't sipped from. "The way you put it insults the true meaning. But yeah."
"So, you would hook up with me, but still have the privilege of messing around with other women...while you're with me? Is that right? I don't think I'd like that."
"Cara, come on, calm down."
Cara raised an eyebrow and pushed her cheek out with her tongue, glaring at him to dare tell her to calm down again. "We're supposed to be adults, Peter. And we did a stupid, stupid thing. I don't want to see you."
"Why not?"
Cara closed her mouth, thinking of the reasons. There were many now, but what she spoke next was what she had always known, but never said out loud. "After being with someone like Simon, I can't help but compare everyone to him. Including you. I fell in love with him because...because he was older than me. I can't be with you and I can't do this. I'm sorry." Cara stood up from the table and rushed out of the cafe, hoping Simon would understand when she returned home.
