Chasing Yesterday

By Lexi Harmon

Emma believes in love and marriage ever after. But an ultimatum, given by her fiancé two weeks before the wedding, has left her life spinning out of control. Where is the compromise? What about her career ambitions?

Feeling vulnerable and bitter, Emma hangs onto the only thing that will even the score—retaliation.

Conflict grows as she tries to reclaim her esteem in the dating game she has set up. Can she soothe the pain and heartbreak she has suffered before it breaks her?

Will Emma and Kyle reconcile and marry or will they go their separate ways?

Share in her emotional roller coaster ride in "Chasing Yesterday."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lexi Harmon
• Release date: Oct 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215051351

Book preview

Chapter 1

The incessant ringing of the phone broke Emma’s sleep. She leaned over the bed, unzipped her purse dropped on the floor the night before, and rummaged around, eyes still closed. The ringing stopped so she pulled herself back into bed and squinted at the time.

Eleven thirty-eight a.m. She groaned and shut her eyes. At least it was Saturday morning and she didn’t have to go to work. Her mind turned to the events of last night—dinner and bar hopping with the girls until the wee hours of the morning. She had enjoyed herself immensely and figured there weren’t many more times she could behave like this.

The celebration continued with each new bar they found, where the friends made a point of toasting her soon-to-be new life as a married woman. The bars were noisy and crowded, with music blaring so loud it was impossible to talk. So they danced and drank and danced some more into the early hours of the morning. She didn’t remember what time it was when she Ubered home.

Emma smiled as she pulled the covers to her neck and snuggled into the cozy, down duvet. Light edged around the drawn curtains, hurting her eyes. She sank deeper under the duvet.

The sharp ring startled her as she realized she was holding the phone under the duvet. She pulled her arm out and squinted at the digital letters again.

Eleven forty-one a.m. She squinted once more to see who was calling. Kyle.

Another smile spread across her face. She remembered the surprise news he was so anxious to tell her the night before so she pressed the button.

Are you all right, Em? This is the fourth time I’m calling. Kyle’s voice, usually strong and confident, was touched with fear, filling the airwaves.

Sure. The girls and I had a great time last night and I gave them their presents, she said, hoping this hint would direct the conversation to the point. She propped herself on one elbow, faced away from the window and pushed her long, blond hair from her face.

Great. Glad to hear it.

What’s up? Emma frowned, waiting for him to continue.

I’ve got some exciting news to tell you.

Emma drew in her breath. Her stomach turned somersaults in anticipation. She pictured her lean, muscular fiancé captivating her with a surprise—a whopper of a surprise.

I’ve just accepted a job as a travel journalist in England.

Silence.

When…how… Emma blurted as she tried to piece together the information bombarding her senses dulled from the glasses of champagne and cosmopolitans When did this happen? was all she could string together for the moment.

"I got a call yesterday from the publisher of Adventures magazine offering me an internship. Can you believe it? Kyle rushed the words trying to contain his excitement. I’ll be travelling all over Europe, taking photos and submitting articles about the culture and food—any interesting sights. I’ll be travelling all over. Kyle paused to catch his breath. This is unbelievable—a dream job."

We didn’t discuss anything like that. And you accepted? murmured Emma, quietly.

I can’t pass the opportunity up. It’s once in a lifetime job.

We could have discussed it first. A pause. A dawning realization. This means you’ll be gone a lot.

The job starts in three weeks so I have to find a place there as quickly as I can.

We’ll hardly see each other.

No. Not true. You’ll be moving with me. Kyle’s voice rose with excitement. There was silence on the other end. Em. Emma. Are you still there?

I don’t understand. How can I go with you if I’m working here? Her pale complexion grew whiter.

Quit. His voice was clipped and sharp. I’m sure you can find a temporary reporter job over there.

I don’t want to quit or move. I like it here.

You said you needed more experience. This could be it.

Not in Europe, though. I meant I would move to another job around here.

Silence was his answer.

We’ve got a problem to sort out—a big problem, said Emma, breaking the silence.

Not the way I see it. I’ll find us a place over there. We’re getting married in two weeks and then we’ll both move there. Problem solved.

There’s one big issue with that thinking. I’m not moving there after the wedding. She waited for a reply but could only hear breathing on the other end. Kyle, are you still there?

Em, I’ll be leaving soon to look for a place. I suggest you reconsider. Either we get married and move there together or we don’t get married and go our separate ways.

Emma’s mouth fell open but no words came out. She wasn’t sure she had heard him correctly. Her mind was still fuzzy from the night before.

Let me get this straight. You’ve accepted the position and leaving soon, she reiterated.

Yes, that’s my plan.

Thirty seconds and still no words were spoken. Emma’s mouth went drier and waves of nausea swept over her body. She sat up straighter in bed now, alert and wide awake. I don’t understand what you’re saying, Kyle. What’s happening to our plans together? Her question came out in a whisper.

Maybe we should postpone getting married until you reconsider. In time, you’ll see how important this job is to me.

Emma’s free hand flew to her gaping mouth as she steadied her other hand, trying to hold the phone near her ear. You want to postpone the wedding? Emma’s question was barely audible.

Until you reconsider moving with me.

You don’t love me anymore? Another barely audible question.

It’s not that. Yes…No…I don’t know. All I can think about is this job offer.

You don’t know? You don’t want to think about our relationship now? Emma parroted in a trance.

All I know is this offer will give me a running start in my career. Maybe you could visit me later.

Emma was stunned, no new thoughts emerging from the cloud thickening in her head. Silence again as both parties wondered where to go with this conversation.

Think it over. We get married and move there or we’ll postpone the wedding for now. Your choice. I have to go now. Bye.

Emma held the phone to her ear and heard Kyle click off. She held it for another minute as though they would finish the conversation. Come to a resolution amiable to both.

It’s over, she mumbled. It’s over. My life’s over. Bile rose in her throat. Numbness weakened every part of her body. And he did it over the phone, was all she whispered like a kitten trying to signal its existence.

She made a fist and dug her teeth into her knuckles. She needed to feel the pain physically because the pain emotionally was too much to bear.

Anger rose in her like a volcano about to spew its innards. She spotted the framed photo of Kyle and her in a loving embrace in a prominent position on her dresser. In a flash of frenzy, she whipped the phone across the bedroom. The glass splintered into tiny shards onto the dresser and carpet.

Her heart broke in as many pieces.

Chapter 2

Forget him. He’s not worth the tears, said Sarah as she tried to comfort her friend, pushing a tissue into her clenched fist and a glass of wine in the other.

I just don’t have the energy to dress and go out to eat, sniffed Emma. Thanks for coming over. You’re true friends.

Emma looked at Sarah, her short curly bob bouncing as she spoke, and was glad she came over without hesitation. She valued her opinion because of the thoughtful and considerate way she expressed herself.

So too, with Nicole, her swinging ponytail hanging down her back. Emma loved her spontaneous honesty in stating her opinions although she could be impetuous and direct. That didn’t matter.

Their loyalty was cemented together since high school. They double-dated, attended football games together and often helped each other with assignments.

All older by a decade now, they maintained their friendships and their discussions on a weekly basis, usually over food at a favourite restaurant and later over drinks at a bar. They helped navigate each other through career decisions and personal relationships with boyfriends, some serious and some not.

The trio had gathered in Emma’s apartment, the two friends bringing a large-size pizza, chips and wine bottles with them. They sat on the floor in the living room around a low, square coffee table, cleared of magazines. The sofa and two tub chairs remained empty as the carpeted floor provided easy access to the food and drinks.

The pizza box lay open in the centre with a half-empty bottle of wine beside it. Another was cooling in the fridge.

I don’t understand. Nicole got right to the point. When he kept texting you yesterday during our celebration dinner, saying he wanted to tell you important news, that was it? Not an early present like you thought?

"That was it. No surprise present.