"Becky didn't tell you?" I splutter as he continues to stare at me like I'm a ghost.

"No!" Haydon exclaims and I curse under my breath, stepping back and leaning against the counter. "Congratulations!" He grins and I can't help but smile.

"Thanks."

"I didn't even know you were seeing someone!" He continues and I tear my gaze away from his, looking down at the floor.

"I'm not!"

"Oh..."

"It was... a one time thing." I manage to say, looking up to see him nod his head.

"Does he know?"

"Yeah!" I reply, "He's happy about it."

"Are you going to try dating?" He asks and I shake my head.

"He's already got a girlfriend."

"What?" Haydon straightens up, eyes blazing slightly as he takes in my words. Oops!

"Oh no! He didn't when we... you know!" I quickly splutter out.

"Oh! I was about to go kick some ass." He laughs and I chuckle nervously. If he knew who it was I think he'd definitely do more than that...

"Was Becky expecting you?" I ask, changing the subject.

"No! She left her jacket at mine last week." He replies, holding up the pile of leather in his hands.

"Oh, thanks!" I smile, grabbing it from his hands, "I'll let her know you brought it back!"

"Thanks." Haydon says, watching as I place it on the back of the couch, "Well, I guess I'll..." He trails off as he makes a move towards the door, reaching up and running a hand through his hair. He came all this way just to drop Becky's jacket off, it would be rude of me to send him away so quickly...

"Do you want to stay for a drink?" I quickly cut him off, shooting him a smile as he turns back towards me, "Or a donut?"

"Sure!" He replies, stopping in his path and turning to face me. I nod, turning and walking to the cupboard to pull out the glazed delights.

"So what's new with you?" I ask and he shrugs, slouching down onto the bar stool.

"Not much. I assume Becky told you I made editor for the Edgemont Press."

"She did! Congratulations, that's amazing!"

"Thanks!"

"Any ladies in your life?" I pry, placing the box on the table in front of him.

"There's one girl I've been dating. Her name is Cathy." He smiles shyly, "We'll see."

"How many dates have you been on?" I ask.

"Three."

"And it looks promising?" I grin and he laughs.

"No red flags so far!"

"That's what I like to hear." I smile, "I'm happy for you!"

"As I am for you." He declares, "Take it back seven years I never would have guessed this is where we'd be."

"Me neither!" I laugh slightly, "Seven years ago? We had just started dating! Remember our date to the aquarium?"

"I do!"

"I'd still rank that in my top ten of dates!" I comment and he raises an eyebrow.

"You would?" He grins, "Wow!"

"Don't get too excited. Number ten is when a guy took me to the sex toy factory he worked at."

"And that made it to the top ten?" Haydon grimaces and I laugh.

"They made incredible erotic cakes."

"Of course!" He exclaims, "Always the cake!"

"Always." I agree, nodding.

"The aquarium was good." He nods, reminiscing, "That was the day I first kissed you."

"Yep." I smile before glancing down at the remaining donuts, "I'll always be thankful of the time we were together Haydon."

"Me too." He smiles, "I'm still sorry it ended so badly."

"I did more wrong than you."

"I didn't help though." He argues, shaking his head.

"No, you didn't!" I giggle in agreement.

"Still, I bet Brett is doing well for himself." Haydon smirks, "Probably a billionaire by now."

"Probably." I force out, grabbing hold of the donut box and turning to the trash to escape his gaze.

"I never thought he deserved you Sav." He continues, "Not really."

"I don't know why you try and paint me in such a good light Haydon. I did you wrong, not Brett." I say, crumpling the box into the recycling.

"He always wound me up the wrong way."

"He was a little cocky." I admit, turning back to face him.

"He was an arrogant twat!" Haydon retorts and I swallow hard, turning to look at him.

"The baby is Brett's." I blurt out, an uncontrollable word vomit that should never have escaped.

"The baby is what?" His eyes nearly bulge out of his head as he raises his voice, immediately standing up from the chair.

"Brett's." I say quietly, watching as he lets out a huff of air, running his hand down his face as he looks at me, clearly trying to process this delightful information.

"I did not expect that."

"We ran into each other at Christmas."

"And you..."

"It happened like it did with us Haydon." I cut him off, shaking my head at his slightly accusing eyes, "Just one night."

"How are you planning on doing this?" He asks softly, settling back down onto the stool.

"I don't know." I reply, leaning down on the counter, "He wanted us to get back together but I said no." I shrug, "He hasn't really spoken to me for five weeks. Says he needs time get used to the idea of us being friends."

"I can understand that."

"You can?" I exclaim, startled by his response. Who is this Haydon and why is he so calm about Brett?

"You two always had it bad for each other, everyone could see it. It's why I was always so jealous." Haydon explains, "There was always something between you and Brett, far stronger than we ever had." He shrugs, "To spend time with each other and raise a child, but having to turn off any of those feelings you feel for each in order to do it? I don't envy him."

"It's been five years." I retort, attempting to ignore what he just said. Brett meant a lot to me and even now I struggle to not jump his bones when I see him, but did he really feel such a strong connection?

"That's just a number." Haydon scoffs, "Time is a powerful thing Sav. For some people it lets them heal. For others it just delays the inevitable and the feelings they hold return as soon as the person does."

*~*~*

The next week I sit in the restaurant across from my work, Alice having insisted that we spend more quality time together.

"That dress from Tommy Ross was alright but I wasn't wowed!" She moans and I smirk. I can't say the eccentric designs of Tommy Ross are my taste either.

"I know someone who can help!" I reply and she raises an eyebrow, her face morphing into a grin at my suggestion. She has another birthday in a month and of course that calls for a new dress.

"You do?"

"Becky!" I exclaim.

"Becky?"

"She's amazing, you should see her designs!" I nod, "She's trying to become an independent designer!"

"Tell her I'm interested!" Alice beams, leaning forward onto the table as I pick up my phone.

"Here's her number!" I say, quickly forwarding the contact information to her.

"Thanks! I'll ring her later!"

I can't help but feel somewhat smug that I've managed to get a potential client for Becky. She deserves it, and Alice Winters is definitely a perfect candidate to showcase my best friend's work. Excellent job at best friending by me, if I do say so myself!

"Alice?" A sudden, familiar voice calls, and I feel myself immediately tense up.

"Hi Mom!" Alice greets, looking slightly awkward. Giving myself a quick mental pep talk I eventually glance up, pasting a smile on my face as I lay eyes on the pristine Mrs Winters.

She looks identical to how she always did, brunette hair scraped back, black pencil skirt hugging her figure. Age doesn't seem to have affected her one bit, but then I'm fairly certain that she probably has Botox.

"Oh my! Savannah?" Her eyes go wide at the sight of me.

"Hi Mrs Winters."

"Olivia, dear!" She corrects me, just as she used to.

"Sorry! Olivia!" I smile as she slides down into the spare seat at the table, making herself comfortable.

"How are you? It's been years!"

"I'm good thanks." I reply cautiously.

"Good, I'm glad to hear that!" She smiles at me, "I had no idea that you and Alice still spoke!"

"Oh, it's only been recently!"

"How did that happen?" Olivia asks. There's no malice in her tone, just pure curiosity.

"Brett wanted me to check up on her." Alice snorts.

"Whatever for?"

"I'm just joking Mom." Alice quickly replies, "Remember I got that dress from Tommy Ross? Savannah works there!"

"Oh, you do?" Olivia exclaims, "That's amazing."

"Thanks."

"I really thought that Brett and you were back together!" She laughs as Alice grins.

"Nope. Just having the baby together." I retort, not even comprehending what I'm saying until it's out of my mouth.

"What?" Olivia exclaims. Shit. He didn't tell her. What did I just do? Fucking motormouth!

"Ummm... I'm joking..."

"You're pregnant?"

"Uh..."

"Mom, Savannah is just..."

"Tell me right now, are you carrying my grandchild?" Olivia orders, cutting us both off, her face serious as she glances between the two of us. Well, fuck...

"Yes." I admit, unable to look away from her piercing blue eyes. Brett, please forgive me!

"Oh my god!" She exclaims, slouching back in her chair.

"Shit just got real." Alice breathes out, looking down at her plate.

"This is fantastic!" Olivia squeals and I widen my eyes as Alice's mouth drops open.

"It is?"

"What?" Alice blurts out.

"I'm so happy!" Olivia grins, reaching over and wrapping her arms around my shoulders, "Congratulations!"

"You're happy?" Alice observes, disbelief covering her face.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Olivia retorts, "And with Savannah too!" She shoots me a warm smile, "I always liked you!"

"Uh, thanks..."

"I can't believe no-one told me!" Olivia laughs, "I'm going to be a Grandma!" She says, "Oh God, I'm too young for this!"

"Wow..." Alice says under her breath.

"He's just so much happier with you Savannah." Olivia continues.

"Oh, he's not..."

"Much better than Lacey. I could tell he was somewhat happy, but he wasn't Savannah happy." Olivia adds, "Savannah, when you are around there is always a sparkle in his eye, a spring to his step."

"I think he was happy with Lacey." I argue softly and she laughs.

"You didn't see it from an outsider's perspective." She argues, "You make him happiest and now you're back!" She claps her hands before turning towards an unsuspecting bartender, "Excuse me, could I order three bottles of champagne?"

"Mom!"

"What?" Olivia retorts. Alice points to my stomach as I sit there dumbly, trying to figure out what the hell is going on. "Oh! Of course!" Olivia covers her hand with her mouth, "And one non-alcoholic champagne please!"

"We don't serve that here Ma'am."

"What?" She snaps, "My daughter-in-law is pregnant! Find her a drink!"

"Of course! Right away!" The bartender looks as though he is about to keel over in shame as he quickly runs away.

"You could be nicer Mother." Alice pipes up.

"Was that too harsh?" Olivia exclaims, "Oh bother!"

"I'm trying to teach Mom how to be nice to people." Alice tells me.

"Alice pointed out that I'm not the most understanding woman in the world!" Olivia chuckles slightly. "I'll apologize when he returns."

"Good!"

"Anyway, where were we?" Olivia mutters, "Oh yes!" She grins, "I'm so happy that you've finally found it in your heart to forgive him Savannah." She smiles, reaching out and gently squeezing my hand. "He was so torn up when it happened, George and I kept trying to send him to a therapist." She continues, "He wouldn't get behind the wheel of a car for over a year." She shakes her head at the memory, "My dear driver Billy had to drive both him and I for all that time." She lets go, sitting back in her chair as she smiles at me, "It was his Dad who finally managed to convince him to get back into a car. I couldn't do it, I haven't driven in over twelve years!"

"Mom prefers to be chauffeured everywhere!"

"Who wouldn't?" Olivia laughs.

"I have to admit, that would be nice." I agree, giggling slightly.

"Your drinks Ma'am." The bartender announces, reaching over and placing the bottles between us. "A non-alcoholic San Francisco cocktail for you. I hope that's okay?" He says, looking slightly terrified.

"Perfect!" I say honestly, "Thank you!"

"I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier! It was very rude of me!" Olivia exclaims, shooting him a wide smile.

"Oh!" He looks startled, clearly not expecting this rich, pretentious woman to think twice about her actions.

"Here, have a tip!" Olivia digs a wad of notes out of her purse and thrusts them into his hands.

"Oh, Ma'am I can't..."

"Nonsense!" She shakes her head, urging him to accept.

"See, that wasn't so hard, was it?" Alice smirks as the poor guy wanders away, speechless.

"Brett didn't drive for over a year?" The question falls from my mouth, the revelation swirling around my head.

"No!" Olivia confirms, "Him and his Father had so many arguments over it. But Brett said he didn't trust himself."

"It broke him into pieces." Alice admits, shooting me a sad look.

"I..." I trail off, "I know that he regretted it. I knew it at the time." I glance between the two of them, "But I never knew quite how much."

"At the beginning he wouldn't even leave his room." Olivia replies, "He had to redo the entire semester of college." She recounts sadly, "He believed he should have been locked up."

"I... I don't know what to say."

"It doesn't matter anymore!" Olivia exclaims, a smile returning to her face, "He's doing well now, with his own business." She grins, "And a baby on the way with you! I couldn't think of anything better!" She continues, "He's suffered for so long but now you're back in his life."

With that we descend into a normal conversation as I attempt to push the harsh realities of Brett's life that have just been slapped into me out of my mind, at least for now. He blamed himself way more than he should have, he nearly destroyed his entire college experience and yet I'm still punishing him.

Olivia is interested in what I've been up to since we left college, before telling us about her trip to Paris last week and, finally, promising to take us with her next time she goes.

"I must get going!" Olivia exclaims after an hour of easygoing conversation, "Thank you so much Savannah!" She says, "I want you to know that I have considered you part of the family since you came over for Christmas."

"Thank you Olivia." I smile at her kind words as she stands up, pulling her coat back on.

"I will see you Tuesday young lady!" She points are Alice with narrowed eyes.

"Bye Mom!" Alice grins, and we both watch as Olivia leaves the restaurant, "Sorry about that, I had no idea that she would be here..."

"Alice where is Brett?" I cut her off, her eyes widening at my serious tone. Enough is enough.

"What?"

"I need to apologize to him." I explain quickly.

"Right now?"

"Right now." I nod.

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Ahh!! How do you think Brett is going to take this apology?

Has the Winters' family grown on you at all? Come on, you gotta love Alice at least!

Chapters are getting a tad long... apologies but we're nearing the end and I have so much information to give y'all!

Time to grab a cocktail and a cake, and buckle up for the rest of Part Three 🍸

Check out the playlist as you read  ⬇️

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