The hours ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. The café's warm, inviting glow grew brighter as the sun began to set. The scent of freshly baked bread and brewing coffee filled the air, offering a comfort she hadn't realized she'd been craving.
She arrived early, her palms sweaty as she nervously toyed with the wedding ring on her finger. The ring felt like a prison, a constant reminder of the lie she'd been living.
As Natasha took a seat by the window, she noticed her reflection in the glass. The bags under her eyes and the tightness in her smile, told the story of recent struggles. Yet, there was a spark there, a determination that hadn't been present before.
Xander would arrive soon, and she would finally lay her cards on the table. Her thoughts raced, trying to anticipate his reaction. "Would he understand? Could he ever forgive her for using him as an emotional crutch while being married to his best friend?" she wondered in her head.
The bell above the café door jingled, and Natasha's heart skipped a beat. Xander strode in, his tall frame casting a shadow before he slid into the seat across from her. His eyes searched hers, a mix of concern and confusion. He hadn't noticed the change in her, the weight she'd been carrying, and she knew he wasn't the type to let things go unsaid.
"You okay, Natasha?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Her eyes met with his, and she took a deep breath, ready to finally unravel the tangled web she'd woven. "I need to talk to you about something," she began, her voice wavering slightly.
Xander leaned in, his brow furrowed with worry.
"What is it?"
Natasha took a moment to gather her thoughts, the words feeling like boulders in her mouth.
"It's about me, and Reynolds, and, our marriage." She paused, watching the rain-soaked street outside. "And you."
Xander's eyes never left hers, his expression a mask of curiosity and unease, "What do you mean?"
Her heart thudded in her chest as she spoke. "This marriage was never about love, Xander. It was about saving my father's company." She paused, gauging his reaction. He remained silent, his gaze unwavering, and his jaw tight. "I know you've been there for me, and I've, I've taken advantage of that. I'm sorry."
The silence between them was deafening, the café's usual murmur a distant hum. Xander leaned back, his eyes reflecting a storm of emotions she couldn't quite read. Natasha's palm grew clammy, her wedding ring feeling heavier by the second.
"You're not in love with him?" he finally said, his voice low and gruff.
"No," Natasha admitted, her eyes filled with tears. "But I thought I could be, he didn't even give me the chance to. I was ready to do anything. I also thought if I could save the company, I could justify the arrangement."
Xander's hand reached across the table, covering hers, his touch was familiar and comforting, yet it sent a jolt of electricity through her. "You don't have to justify anything to me, he said firmly. "But you need to figure out what you truly want."
Natasha nodded, her eyes never leaving his. "I know," she whispered. "And I think, I think I've known for a while now."
Her breath hitched. "I don't know if I can fix this, "she said, her voice barely above a murmur. "But I do know that I can't keep living like this. The company, It's not worth losing myself over."
He leaned closer, his voice a soothing whisper. "Then let's find a way to save it without sacrificing who you are."
The warmth of his hand and the sincerity in his words brought a glimmer of hope to Natasha's eyes. For the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to believe that there might be a way out of the mess she'd found herself in.
The conversation grew deeper as the evening progressed, the rain outside a steady backdrop to their heart-wrenching confessions. They spoke of their friendship, their shared history, and the unspoken feelings that had been simmering beneath the surface for so long. Xander's gaze never left hers, his eyes filled with intensity.
Natasha felt the weight of their words hanging in the air, the gravity of their situation pressing down on her shoulders. "What about us?" she finally asked, her voice trembling.
Xander took a deep breath. "I've been in love with you for a very long time," he admitted, his eyes searching hers for a hint of reciprocity. "But I didn't want to be the reason you leave Reynolds. I just wanted you to be happy."
Her heart skipped a beat. "And now?"
He leaned in, his hands still holding hers. "Now, I want to be the reason you stay," he said, his voice earnest. "I want to help you fight for what's right, for what makes you happy."
Their eyes held for a moment longer before Natasha finally let out a sigh of relief, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I'm scared," she confessed.
"I know," Xander said, brushing the tear away with his thumb. "But you're not alone. We'll figure it out together."
The bell above the café door jingled again, pulling Natasha out of her thoughts. Xander's hand remained in hers, a silent promise of support. As she looked up, she saw the rain had stopped, the world outside the window reflecting the newfound clarity she felt within.