Chapter 5 Sasha | The Way Forward.

Thankfully, I got the all clear of the pregnancy later that afternoon after our shopping. I was glad I didn't have anything nerve-wracking to remember Alex by.

On Monday afternoon, I texted Alex and told him without mincing words that he should make sure no one was home so I could go round and pack up more of my stuff. I didn't want to have to face him and his new lover, and from the protective hulk vibes Lyons was giving off I thought it wouldn't be a pretty scene if they met each other either. I packed several stuff that I would need for the next few weeks, including the suitable clothes I'd bought for the summer holiday, then boxed up the rest of my things, and left them in the spare room at the back of Lyons's flat though Alex insisted it was no pressure if I left it in his flat. It's weird how I'd come to think of it as his flat again. When I'd first moved in it had taken me months to adjust and think of it as ours. I guess maybe that was an obvious sign I should never have moved in there in the first place. I shouldn't have put up with his young shit no matter how fun it was being with him.

Standing in the doorway that led to the living room with every essential I'd need for the next few weeks till I got back from the holiday and established myself, I took one last glance to check there was nothing else of mine lying around. I realized there hadn't been much to show I'd lived there at all: no bright colours, no personal touch or vase, everything stark and unfriendly, just like Alex turned out to be and in a sharp contrast to the calm and relaxed clutter in Lyons's place.

"You ready to go?" I turned as Lyons fell into place beside me.

"Yeah." I really wanted to leave this part of my life behind. To pretend it never existed.

As we went down in the lift with the last couple of bags, my heart was heavy, but it wasn't broken. I knew I'd get through this one way or the other. I just needed to believe in myself.

The next few days whirled past in a flurry of activities. Keeping busy helped stop me from moping over Alex and a hard core resentment at the way he treated me helped me to keep going. I refused to waste my tears on a man who cast me aside for a younger model after asking me to marry him. I was energetic, getting through my workdays like always and indulging every spare moment trying to organize things for the holiday. Ringing up the lottery agency to tell them to change Lyons's name didn't prove too difficult. The only part was the flight. The officials wouldn't budge and the lottery agency couldn't do anything to help me with it so I had to pay an outrageous sum to sort it out which costed more than the free tickets, but at least it was done.

Lyons was busy too, working late into the nights, trying to get ahead with his freelance writings so he could kick back and relax while we were away. I appreciated the effort he was making to go with me on this holiday.

By Friday evening, everything was sorted for the trip, and I was aimlessly pottering around the flat with nothing particular to focus on. Lyons sat working at the table in the living area which he used as his make-shift study. I wanted to watch a serial and didn't want to disturb him with the TV, but was unable to find anything doing.

"Don't you think we should start packing? We might miss our flight if we do it tomorrow morning."

"Uh..." He looked up from his laptop, his tortoise-shell glasses catching the deep orange colour of the sinking sun. "I'm packing tonight. What I'm currently working on won't take long, just flyers for the new burger place downtown. Tomorrow's the deadline. I don't want to take my laptop with me."

"Oh, I should leave it to you then."

He gave a wry smile. "Yeah, you can say I'm not the least bit organized, I mean I've had this flyers ordered for months but was too stressed to get around sitting it out."

"There's nothing left to do around here. I guess I should head out for a stroll. That'd help me relax and get my mind off my flying phobia."

"Good idea." He looked back down at his screen.

Apart from the gown I'd worn to work and underwear that needed hanging up, my clothes were still in bags in his living room. I pulled out shorts with a built-in liner and paired it together with a blue tank top, which I'd snuck out from Alex's closet.

"What's the longest route from here to go on a stroll?" I turned to face Lyons with the tank top and caught him checking me out. He quickly averted his eyes back to his laptop screen, but it was too late, and the guilty flush on his cheeks only confirmed my suspicions. "Were you just...checking me out?" I teased, smiling as I pulled on the top.

His flush deepened. "Uh...Yeah. Well...my flat's cluttered and we're practically glued to each other so it was right there. It's hard to miss it really."

I honestly didn't mind. After being shoved aside like a dirty tissue by Alex for being 'old', I could really use the ego boost, but Lyons's discomfort was interesting and cute to witness. He wasn't one to be usually turned on.

Clearing his throat, he said. "So, uh, anyway. Depends how far you want to go. I normally walk to the park, and then do a jog around it once I get there."

"Sounds good."

After stepping into pink, comfortable flip-flops, I checked the map on my phone. It seemed to be a straightforward route so I could leave my phone behind. "Okay I'll see you later. Good luck with the flyers."

"Have a fun stroll."