*Reunion*
The sun had just set, casting a warm orange glow over the wedding reception. Emily stood by the bar, sipping her glass of white wine and surveying the crowd. She had known the bride, Rachel, since college, and it was great to see her so happy.
As she scanned the room, Emily's eyes landed on a familiar face. Her heart skipped a beat as she took in the sight of Jake, her former love, standing by the buffet table. It had been five years since they'd last seen each other, and yet, the spark of recognition was instant.
Emily felt a rush of emotions: surprise, nostalgia, and a hint of anxiety. She hadn't expected to see Jake today, and she wasn't sure how to react. Part of her wanted to run over and hug him, while another part wanted to turn and flee.
She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. It was just Jake, after all. They'd been high school sweethearts, and their breakup had been messy. But as she gazed at him now, Emily couldn't help but feel a pang of what-ifs. What if they'd worked things out? What if they'd stayed together?
As she stood there, lost in thought, Jake caught her eye. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the noise and chaos of the reception fading into the background. Then, Jake smiled, and Emily's heart skipped another beat.
Jake's smile was like a punch to the gut, catching Emily off guard. She felt a flutter in her chest as he began to make his way towards her, weaving through the crowd of guests. Emily's mind went blank, and she couldn't think of what to say or do.
As Jake approached, Emily noticed the changes in him. His hair was shorter, and his eyes seemed more mature. He had a confident air about him, one that she hadn't seen before. But despite the changes, there was still something familiar about him, something that made her feel like she was home.
"Hey," Jake said, stopping in front of her. "Long time no see."
Emily smiled, trying to play it cool. "Hey," she replied, her voice a little shaky. "I didn't know you were going to be here."
Jake shrugged. "Rachel's friend invited me. I guess we moved in the same circles without realizing it."
They stood there for a moment, the awkwardness between them palpable. Emily didn't know what to say or do, and she could tell Jake was feeling the same way. But as they stood there, something shifted. The tension between them began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of familiarity and comfort.
"So, how have you been?" Jake asked, breaking the silence.
Emily hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I've been good," she said finally. "Busy with work and life."
Jake nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I've been good too," he said. "Life's been keeping me busy."
As they talked, Emily felt herself relaxing in Jake's presence. It was like no time had passed at all, and they were back to their old selves, joking and laughing together. But beneath the surface, Emily knew there were still unresolved feelings, still unanswered questions.
As they chatted, Emily found herself stealing glances at Jake, noticing the way his eyes sparkled when he laughed, the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. It was like she was 17 again, crushing on her high school sweetheart.
But as the memories flooded back, Emily's mind also wandered to the reasons they'd broken up. The fights, the misunderstandings, the growing apart. She wondered if Jake was thinking about those things too, or if he'd moved on.
The music changed, and the DJ announced a special dance for the bride and groom. Rachel and her husband took to the floor, beaming at each other as they swayed to the music.
Emily felt a pang of nostalgia wash over her. She and Jake used to dance like that, lost in their own little world. She glanced over at him, wondering if he was thinking the same thing.
As the dance came to an end, Jake turned to her. "Want to grab some fresh air?" he asked, nodding towards the patio.
Emily hesitated for a moment, unsure if she was ready to be alone with Jake. But something about his gentle tone put her at ease. "Okay," she said, following him out into the night air.
The patio was quiet, the only sound the distant hum of music and laughter from inside. Jake leaned against the railing, looking out over the garden. Emily stood beside him, feeling a sense of déjà vu. They'd stood like this before, watching the stars, dreaming about their future.
"So," Jake said, turning to her. "It's been a while."
Emily smiled, feeling a sense of trepidation. "Yeah," she replied. "It has."
As they stood there, the night air filled with tension, Emily couldn't help but wonder what Jake was thinking. Was he regretting the way things ended between them? Did he still have feelings for her?
Jake seemed to sense her gaze and turned to her, his eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the world around them melting away.
"I'm glad I ran into you tonight," Jake said, his voice low and husky.
Emily's heart skipped a beat as she searched his eyes. "Me too," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
The moment hung between them, charged with possibility. Emily felt like she was standing on the edge of a precipice, unsure what would happen next.
Suddenly, the patio door swung open, and a group of people spilled out, laughing and chattering. The spell was broken, and Emily felt a sense of relief wash over her.
"Guess we should get back inside," Jake said, nodding towards the crowd.
Emily nodded, feeling a little disappointed that the moment had passed. "Yeah, I guess so."
As they walked back into the reception, Emily couldn't shake the feeling that this chance encounter was more than just a coincidence. She wondered what the rest of the night would bring.
The rest of the reception passed in a blur for Emily. She tried to focus on catching up with friends, but her mind kept wandering back to Jake. She wondered if he'd noticed her staring, if he'd even care.
As the night drew to a close, Emily made her excuses and slipped out into the cool evening air. She needed some space to clear her head.
And then, she heard her name being called…