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Dawson’s work had consumed his life, leaving him with little time for anything else. He had gone on a few dates, but none of the women had lasted beyond a second cup of coffee. They wanted expensive dinners and lavish vacations, but Dawson couldn’t offer that kind of lifestyle. His suits were threadbare, his shoes scuffed, and he drove a rusted hatchback that barely ran. He was okay with it all; he didn’t need much to be happy except success at work. But it seemed like no one understood that - not the fancy women in their designer dresses or the other guys at the office who talked about golf games and yacht clubs.
Dawson’s office was his second home. He spent more time there than he did in his own apartment, and it showed. His once-perfect hair was now disheveled and unkempt. The only meals he ate were the ones ordered in from the fancy French restaurant down the street. And he hadn’t been on a date in years.
Every woman who walked into his life wanted something he couldn’t give them—not his time, not his attention, not his heart. They all expected him to be somebody that he wasn’t. Rich, powerful, influential—but Dawson just wanted someone who understood him. Who saw beyond the exterior and into his soul?
It felt like an impossible feat, but he kept hoping that one day he would find someone special. Someone who would understand that success wasn’t everything—that sometimes, love mattered more.
Being a work-a-holic was a lonely existence, and Dawson often felt isolated from the world around him. He wanted to find someone who could truly understand what it meant to dedicate yourself to something bigger than yourself—someone who could appreciate his ambition and hard work. Until then, he would keep pushing ahead; always striving for more.
But even though he often felt alone, deep down inside, he knew Maci was still there for him. She always had been and always would be—their friendship would never change, no matter how much he changed himself. That was why tonight was so important: it was an opportunity for him to tell Maci how he felt about her, after all these years of silence.
Maci sat at the bar, her hair pinned up in an elegant knot that accentuated her high cheekbones and long neck. Her red dress clung to her curves in all the right places. When Dawson saw her across the room, his heart pounded—he was filled with a sudden rush of emotion he hadn’t expected. A surge of emotion swept through him, providing an unexpected lift to his usual stoic demeanor. Deciding to take it slow, he leaned in and lightly brushed his lips across her cheek—instantly rewarded with a warm smile.
Dawson ordered his usual scotch on the rocks, then settled into the chair across from Maci. His eyes were drawn to her like magnets, and he felt a dizzying warmth surge through him. She had aged gracefully; her face still youthful and glowing. Her inviting smile lit up her face and her eyes sparkled with recognition—it was as if she could feel the connection between them just as strongly as he did.
Dawson looked at Maci, his brow furrowed. He was struck by how much she had changed since their high school days. She had a confidence to her now that wasn’t there before, a strength that was undeniable. Her eyes sparkled when she spoke about her job as the CFO of a large company and the sense of accomplishment it gave her. He could tell it was hard to maintain a work-life balance, but he admired her tenacity, nonetheless. “So, what else? How’s life been since high school?” he asked.
His gaze was intense and his mouth curved into a tentative smile. “So,” he said, “it’s been a long time.”
“Yes, it has,” Maci replied with a nod. She looked around the room and tugged at her sleeve before continuing. “But I love being CFO. It’s demanding, but when I find the right balance, it all works out.”
Dawson nodded in agreement and then leaned back against the wall. “Well, that’s great. So what else? How’s life been since high school?”
Maci beamed with pride as she spoke of her accomplishments. “I worked at the company for twelve years as a director and then the Board asked me to step up as CFO. I could hardly believe it! But I guess my experience and degree made me the perfect fit.”
Dawson gestured to the bar menu in front of them, offering Maci something to eat. “Want something?” he asked.
She shook her head from side to side, her curls bouncing off her shoulders. “No thank you. I’m good.”
His gaze searched hers before he replied, “You sure?”
Maci nodded. “Positive.”
Dawson waved the server away after ordering boneless wings and fries. He leaned in to hear Maci speak of her hectic office nights, voice soft and eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Every now and again, she would touch his hand as they talked and Dawson felt a spark between them, like static electricity that kept zapping him no matter how much space he tried to put between them. Could Maci sense it? All these years apart, could she still feel the intensity of the chemistry between them?
Dawson watched as the waitress placed a plate of golden, succulent wings and fries in front of him.
Maci’s stomach twisted with a mixture of nerves and excitement when she asked if he was married. “No,” Dawson replied, his brown eyes searching Maci’s face for any signs of disappointment. Instead, he saw the faintest curl of her lip and a sparkle in her emerald green eyes that gave him a sliver of hope.
They both laughed at the irony that their demanding jobs, which barely allowed for time to sleep, were preventing them from finding someone amongst the hustle and bustle of New York City. When Maci noticed the late hour on her phone, she reluctantly announced that she had an early meeting the next day, and Dawson stood up with her, offering to escort her to the elevator and up to her room.
Dawson glanced up and down the hallway as he stepped out of the elevator behind Maci. Her laughter rang through the air, bouncing off of the walls and ricocheting off the buzzing fluorescent lights above their heads. They shared a knowing look before heading towards Maci’s room.
Dawson stopped mid-stride and turned to face Maci. A warm, golden light that seemed to emanate from her illuminated the hallway. A wave of nostalgia hit him as he realized how little she had changed since high school; the same smattering of freckles scattered across her cheeks, but age had only made her more beautiful and confident in the way she carried herself. There was a warmth inside of him as he looked into her eyes.
Gone were the days of baggy jeans and oversized t-shirts. In her place was a woman with curves that her figure-hugging ensembles proudly highlighted. With newly defined hips and a fuller chest. She stood tall and confident, as if all of her past insecurities had melted away.
Dawson’s lips parted into a wistful smile as he recalled the taunts and ridicule Maci had faced in high school.
“Well,” Maci muttered, her gaze fixed on the door handle under her fingertips. “This is it. My room.”
He studied her for a few seconds, his own emotions welling up inside him, before she looked away. The hallway was quiet, aside from the dull hum of the ceiling lights.
Dawson’s hands felt clammy, and he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. His thoughts were swirling with promises of redemption - promises to stand up for himself at this reunion, promises that he would no longer be seen as a victim of the bullies who had made his life so miserable.
“I can’t wait to see everyone’s faces when they see you,” he said.
Maci gave him a small smile, her head bowed. “Me too,” she whispered.
