The Project

At quarter-to-seven the salmon steaks were baking and she was just tossing the salad when there was a knock at the door. She smiled, thinking Steven was giving her fair return for being early herself. When she opened the door, however, it wasn't Steven.

She stared in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Hi, babe," said her visitor. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I would stop by and see if you were home." He was tall, with strong, masculine features and a confident smile. Julia, however, was not impressed.

"You were in the neighborhood?" she repeated incredulously.

His smile faltered. "Well, not exactly. I tried to call a few times but you never answered. So I caught the first available flight and here I am. I missed you," he explained sheepishly.

Julia was surprised at the effort he'd made, but also annoyed at his presumption. She was about to give him a piece of mind when he moved closer and touched her face affectionately. She couldn't even move away because the door frame was right behind her. At that very moment, she saw Steven walking up the front path. He stopped when he noticed the other man in her doorway. "Um…hi," he said uncertainly.

The other man's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Steven. "Why are you bringing flowers to my girlfriend?" he demanded.

"Mark!" Julia hissed angrily.

But it was too late. Steven gasped in shock. "I'm sorry," he stammered. He dropped the roses on the path and ran away.

Mark watched him leave in bemusement. "Well, that was weird," he said to Julia. However, he was not expecting her furious reaction.

She shoved him backwards. "Mark, I am not your girlfriend," she scolded. "You left me to go live in Sydney and you can't just turn up here whenever you feel like it. I've moved on."

"With him?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yes, with him," she snapped. "Now, please leave."

"Ok, ok," he held his hands up in submission. "If you're sure…"

"Mark, I told you on the phone two weeks ago it's over," she reminded him.

"I know," he said simply. "I just didn't really believe it until now. I hope you're happy with…whoever that was."

Julia softened as she remembered the good times she'd had with Mark. He wasn't right for her, she knew that now. But she still cared for him at little. "I think I will be happy," she said in answer to his question. "I hope you find happiness too."