After finishing her meal, Bella wiped her lips gently with a napkin and pushed her chair back, feeling light and warm from both the food and the affection behind it. As she stood, she suddenly remembered Scarlett and pulled out her phone, dialing without thinking. The call rang once… twice…
Then the automated voice came.
"The person you're trying to reach is currently busy."
Bella froze, eyes widening in immediate guilt.
"Oh no…" she whispered, clutching her phone with both hands. "She told me she had a meeting today… why did I call without thinking?" Scarlett had messaged her yesterday, asking her to call only when she was free and to avoid the window between 10 and 5, as she would be in meetings.
Bella's heart squeezed. She quickly opened their chat and typed:
Bella: Scarlett I'm so sorry!!! I forgot you had a meeting!
She sent it and stared at the screen anxiously, chewing the inside of her cheek. A familiar heaviness settled in her chest.
