Love, After All: Part 6

Jimmie met his ex, Simone, at a neutral spot—a small café on the other side of town. He had no doubts about his feelings for Daisy, but he also knew that true transparency meant facing things head-on.

Simone arrived looking polished, just as he remembered, but something in her eyes had changed.

“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” she said, stirring her tea.

Jimmie leaned back. “I wasn’t sure either.”

She let out a soft chuckle. “I don’t want to cause trouble in your life. I just… I’ve had time to think. About us. About how things ended.”

Jimmie remained quiet, letting her speak.

“I know I hurt you,” she admitted. “I wasn’t ready for what we had. And when things got real, I ran. But looking back, I—” She hesitated. “I think I made a mistake.”

Jimmie inhaled deeply, choosing his words carefully. “Simone, I won’t pretend what we had wasn’t real. It was. But it ended for a reason.” He exhaled. “I’ve moved on. And honestly? I’m happy.”

She searched his face, her expression unreadable. “She must be special.”

“She is,” Jimmie said without hesitation.

A small, sad smile tugged at Simone’s lips. “Then I won’t stand in the way of that.”

When he left the café, Jimmie felt lighter, as if he had finally closed the last lingering door to his past.