Chapter 10: Denial
Jerry tried to shake off the memory of the kiss, to drown it in whiskey and distractions. He threw himself into his work, taking on extra projects and clients, anything to keep his mind off Roxie.
But the image of her lips, soft and inviting, lingered in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that he'd crossed a line, that things had changed between them.
Jerry avoided the coffee shop, afraid of running into Roxie, afraid of what might happen next. He told himself he was being ridiculous, that it was just a drunken mistake.
But the memory of that brief, sweet kiss haunted him.
One night, as he was working late, Jerry's phone buzzed with a text from Roxie. "Hey, Jerry. Hope you're doing okay."
Jerry's heart skipped a beat. He hesitated, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. Should he respond, or ignore her?
In the end, he typed out a brief, curt reply. "I'm fine. Busy with work."
Roxie's response came quickly. "Okay. Take care, Jerry."
Jerry felt a pang of guilt, but he pushed it aside. He was doing the right thing, keeping his distance, forgetting the kiss.
Or so he told himself.