Keeley, feeling peckish, sliced an apple before attempting to sleep. She finished her outline around 9 PM but wasn't tired enough for bed.

Still in the kitchen, she heard the key turn in the lock. Jennica, expensively dressed, waltzed in.

"Where have you been?" Keeley asked.

"Acting gig," Jennica replied, removing her high heels. "Some guy paid me to be his date—to get his parents off his back."

Keeley frowned, confused. "Did he give you those clothes?"

She recognized the designer dress, the brand-name shoes, and the real diamond jewelry. Though years had passed since she'd seen such things, they left an impression.

"Yeah," Jennica admitted, plopping onto a kitchen chair. "He said he had no other use for them. He was odd, but I feel sorry for him. Can you imagine giving up your entire world for someone you love?"

Keeley knew only too well. She had done it once; it was the biggest mistake of their lives.

The timing was odd. Her roommate's question came the same day she'd unexpectedly run into her ex-husband for the first time in five and a half years. "Why do you ask?"

"Ah, nothing," Jennica said. "Just curious."

Keeley answered seriously, stating her opinion: "I think if someone gives up too much without receiving enough in return, both parties end up resentful, and everything falls apart. Some couples just aren't meant to be."

Jennica sat up straight, narrowing her eyes. "You sound like you're speaking from experience."

Keeley shrugged. "It happened with my ex."

Jennica wisely dropped the subject. "Anyway, the party people were nuts, but it paid well. I can focus on my role and the understudy script without worrying about rent."

"Good for you, Jen! I'm glad it worked out."

"Me too. Have you seen Valentina? I want to tell her about a real New York City cocktail party—she'll flip!"

"She came home while you were out; I think she's in her room," Keeley said, popping an apple slice into her mouth.

"Thanks, I'll go check."

Keeley finished her apple, brushed her teeth, and crawled into bed beside the sleeping Molly. Sleep eluded her; she kept wondering why Aaron had asked her to dinner.

She hadn't seen him since her freshman year of college; she should have been off his radar. Was it a coincidence he was in her favorite coffee shop when she got off work? It had to be.

If he was still the same as senior year, he would have pestered her constantly. She'd changed her number, but Aaron knew where her dad lived—easy to find her, especially since her dad inexplicably liked him. No, it had to be a coincidence.

Seeing him wasn't the problem; it was why he'd forcibly dragged her to dinner. Considering he wanted to catch up, they hadn't actually done much catching up. It reminded her of before, when he cared more about her presence than their conversations.

Aaron…what was he thinking? Didn't he know she'd moved on? She'd told him dozens of times she wanted nothing to do with him. What would it take to get that through his thick skull?

She finally fell asleep, dreaming she was at a cocktail party, wearing Jennica's outfit, handcuffed to Aaron.

"Keeley…you can't escape me, Keeley. Never! You're stuck with me!"

His voice echoed, mocked by laughing socialites: "Look at that gold digger!" "She thought she could tie him down…" "She's not fit to be Mrs. Hale…"

The laughter escalated into hyenas tearing her dress. She screamed for Aaron, but he was gone, leaving one handcuff dangling.

Keeley woke at 4:23 AM in a cold sweat. Groaning, she grabbed her phone's flashlight and went to the living room to stream a sitcom. She needed a laugh.

Valentina entered at 6:30 to make breakfast, finding Keeley in her heart-printed pajamas.

"Why are you watching TV this early?"

"I had a nightmare and couldn't sleep," Keeley admitted.

Valentina looked worried. "What was it about?"

"I don't remember," Keeley lied, avoiding explanation. Meeting Aaron and Jennica's question must have triggered the dream.

"Well, you should get ready. You have class at eight."

Valentina was right. Keeley paused the TV, showered, and calmed her nerves. It was just a dumb dream—she'd had them before, but not for years. This was a blip in her peaceful, Aaron-free existence.

The hot water loosened tension. She would be fine. He didn't know her number, address, or workplace. She'd avoid the White Leaf Café for a while, and everything would return to normal.

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