Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 75

Chapter 75: Christoper Jacobs

“Oh my God, are you okay?” Emma asked since she had thought the car had went off or something.

“Yes but I need to see who the fool was that wouldn’t look where he was driving,” she said fuming.

“I know you’re upset but you need to calm down. I’m sure whoever it was must have a good explanation for this,” Emma said and Claire scoffed.

“He definitely has to have a good explanation for this,” Claire said, removing her seatbelt.

Claire stepped out of the car first, her posture stiff with irritation. Emma hesitated, still shaken from the impact, but eventually followed.

“I wonder what he was thinking hitting us. Was he blind or something?” Claire asked irritably.

As they approached the other car, Emma squinted at the man stepping out of the driver’s seat, his tall frame and confident stride triggering a flicker of recognition.

“Great,” Claire muttered under her breath. “People really need to learn how to drive.”

“What the hell were you thinking hitting my car? Are you drunk or perhaps blind? Didn’t you see us?” Claire asked in annoyance.

The man who had hit their car turned to face them, and Emma’s breath caught in her throat when she saw his face.

Maybe she was dreaming but she definitely couldn’t mistake that face. It was Christopher Jacobs.

“Chris?” she asked, her voice filled with surprise.

Christopher who had been about to apologize to for the disaster he had been about to cause turned to look at her.

A wide grin spread across his face as he recognized her. “Emma Winters? Is that really you?”

Emma blinked, unsure if she was relieved or more anxious. “What… what are you doing here? I thought you left for oversees,” Emma said looking him over.

Christopher ran a hand through his messy brown hair, looking sheepish. “Yeah, I did. But I just lost my dad so I’m back her to take over from him,” he said and Emma gasped.

“Oh my God. I’m sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences,” Emma said and Christopher waved it off.

“It’s fine. I had no idea you were in this city. I didn’t think I’d run into you—literally, at that.”

Claire folded her arms, raising an eyebrow. “You two know each other?”

Emma nodded, feeling her cheeks warm. “We went to college together. Chris was… a friend.”

Chris chuckled. “More like your shadow. I followed you everywhere back then, well until Jake snatched you away. How could you forget?”

Emma laughed nervously, casting a glance at Claire, who was watching the exchange with growing interest.

“Well, that explains the awkward smiles,” Claire said dryly. “Look, I’m sorry about your dad but let’s address the elephant in the room—you rear-ended our car.”

Chris rubbed the back of his neck, looking genuinely apologetic. “I’m really sorry about that. I got distracted trying to receive a call from my mom. Didn’t mean to cause trouble.”

Claire sighed, glancing at Emma. “Your admirer from college, huh? Convenient timing.”

“Claire!” Emma hissed, mortified.

Chris raised his hands defensively. “Hey, no harm meant. I’ll pay for any damages. Let me take care of it.”

Claire gave him a long look, then relented. “Fine. But next time, keep your eyes on the road. I’m sure whatever your mom has to say to you could wait. It only takes a second for a terrible accident to happen,” Claire said and Christopher nodded.

“Yeah. I mean my heart almost jumped out of my chest when it happened,” Emma said and Claire looked at her.

“I thought you would be too stuck on rekindling old flames to actually tell him the truth,” she teased.

“Claire!” Emma repeated, her voice higher this time.

Chris laughed, clearly unfazed. “You haven’t changed much, Emma. Still getting embarrassed over nothing. Maybe I should resume calling you the shy Em?”

Emma crossed her arms. “You wouldn’t dare,” Emma threatened and Chris laughed.

“I’m so scared, shy Em,” he said, and Claire laughed, watching them.

“Stop that, Chris. We’re not exactly on casual terms anymore,” she said and Claire raised a brow as she turned to Chris wanting to see how he’d respond to that.

“On that note, I’d love to catch up, so we can continue being on casual terms. Maybe over coffee? My treat—consider it part of my apology for almost giving you a heart attack.”

Before Emma could respond, Claire chimed in. “She’s free tomorrow. Aren’t you, Em?”

Emma shot Claire a glare. “I—”

“It’s settled, then,” Chris said, his grin returning. “Give me your number, and I’ll text you the details.”

Emma hesitated but eventually gave him her number, feeling cornered. After exchanging information, Chris promised to take care of the damages and bid them goodbye, his easygoing demeanor leaving a lingering awkwardness in the air.

As Claire and Emma got back into the car, Emma sank into her seat with a groan.

“Seriously, Claire? You couldn’t just let me say no?” she asked glaring at her.

“And miss this side of you? I feel like we’re friends now,” Claire said and Emma groaned again.

Claire smirked as she started the car. “I know you wanted to say no but why would I let you? That man practically lit up when he saw you. If Alex can’t see what he has, maybe he needs a little competition to wake him up.”

Emma shook her head. “What? This isn’t about Alex, Claire. Chris and I were never anything more than friends and I don’t want to use anyone….”

Claire gave her a knowing look. “That’s what you say, but did you see the way he looked at you? Trust me, Emma. This could work in your favor.”

“But that would be using him..”

“How? I’m sure he had seen the ring on your finger. Besides, didn’t he mention Jake? He knows you’re married and from his demeanor, I’m sure he’d be glad to help you if you talk to him about it,” Claire said as she drove off.

“Really?” she asked and Claire nodded.

“Yeah. You don’t have to go through with it if you don’t want to. But, think about it and talk to him tomorrow, Okay?” Claire said and Emma sighed.

Emma turned to stare out the window, her thoughts swirling. She didn’t want to play games or manipulate feelings, but Claire’s words planted a seed of doubt.

Maybe showing Alex that others saw her as more than just his convenient wife would be the push he needed.

Still, the idea of spending time with Chris after all these years felt strange. She couldn’t help but wonder what he expected—and how Alex might react if he found out.