Catherine's fingers hovered over her phone screen, Jasper's unexpected message staring back at her. The soft glow of the device illuminated her face in the dimness of her room, casting shadows that seemed to dance with her tumultuous thoughts. She read the message again, each word awakening memories she had long since buried.

Dr. Sexy: Hi, I know it's been a while, but I am here for a couple of weeks for a convention. I guess being back made all these old feelings and memories resurface. Anyway, I guess I just wanted to check how you are…. Perhaps text a little?

A mixture of emotions washed over her – surprise, nostalgia, and a hint of something else she couldn't quite name. It was strange that Jasper would text her out of the blue, especially after all this time. Their relationship had ended amicably, but they had drifted apart, their lives taking different paths. Now, with this simple message, it felt like the past was reaching out to her, tugging at loose threads she thought she had neatly tied off.

Before she could even process how she felt, another text from Jasper came through.

Dr. Sexy: Did that just double send? Sorry! That's embarrassing and no way to make a reentrance. Anyway, hope you are well

Catherine couldn't help but smile at his awkwardness. It was so typically Jasper – brilliant in the operating room, but sometimes fumbling in personal interactions. It was one of the things she had found endearing about him, once upon a time.

As she contemplated how to respond, her mind wandered back to their relationship. Jasper had been her rock, steady and dependable. Their love had been comfortable, like a well-worn sweater that fit just right. But it had lacked the spark, the fire that she now realized she craved. The fire she had felt with Phoenix...

She shook her head, trying to dispel thoughts of Phoenix. This was about Jasper, about the past knocking on her door. She needed to focus.

Another ping from her phone drew her attention back to the present.

Dr. Sexy: So long as you don't go into cardiac arrest we are good. Lol. Sorry. Doctor humor.

Catherine rolled her eyes, a mix of amusement and exasperation washing over her. Jasper's attempts at humor had always been hit or miss, usually erring on the side of groan-worthy medical puns. But there was something comforting about the familiarity of it all, like slipping into an old routine.

Before she could respond, another message popped up.

Dr. Sexy: I'm good, really good. Work's been busy, as per usual, but I'm doing well and I'm happy. Just…well I miss you a lot.

The admission caught her off guard. Miss her? After all this time? Catherine felt a pang in her chest, a mixture of guilt and something akin to longing. Not for Jasper specifically, but for the simplicity of what they had shared. Everything felt so complicated now, with Phoenix and the curse and her conflicted feelings.

Taking a deep breath, she finally typed out a response.

Catherine: Oh wow, I was not expecting this…. I don't know what to say. I am shocked. I mean, I'm well. Just shocked. How are you?

She hit send before she could overthink it, then immediately regretted asking how he was when he had already told her. But Jasper, ever patient, didn't seem to mind the redundancy.

Dr. Sexy: I'm good, really good. Work's been busy, as per usual, but I'm doing well and I'm happy. Just…well I miss you a lot.

Catherine stared at the repeated message, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu. It was as if time had folded in on itself, bringing her past and present into sharp collision.

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Catherine: I can't believe you're back, it feels surreal tbh.

She typed, trying to convey the whirlwind of emotions she was feeling without revealing too much.

Dr. Sexy: Yeah, I know. I hope it's okay with me texting you out of the blue?

His concern was palpable even through text, and Catherine felt a rush of affection for him. Despite everything, Jasper was a good man. He always had been.

Catherine: Yes, it's okay.

She replied, feeling suddenly vulnerable. How do you talk to someone who once knew every part of you, but is now practically a stranger?

Dr. Sexy: Well, maybe we could meet up soon?

The suggestion hung in the air like a fragile bubble, ready to burst at the slightest touch. Catherine felt her heart rate quicken, a mixture of panic and curiosity flooding her system.

Catherine: What?

She typed quickly, buying herself time to process.

Dr. Sexy: Catch up over coffee? It may be easier. X o x o

As she stared at the invitation, Catherine's mind wandered unbidden to Phoenix. It was strange to think of him now, especially when Jasper, her ex, was texting her. But she couldn't help it. Phoenix had been on her mind ever since their kiss, and she couldn't shake the image of him from her thoughts. The intensity of his gaze, the feel of his lips on hers, the way he made her feel alive in a way she had never experienced before.

Just as she was about to respond to Jasper, another text came through.

Dr. Sexy: You don't have to say yes

Dr. Sexy: You can think about it, there's never any pressure with me. You know that. Just take your time and let me know when you can :)

His understanding nature shone through, reminding Catherine of why she had loved him once. Jasper was safe, dependable. He was everything a mother – or even a father – would want for their daughter. But as she thought about meeting him, about revisiting the past, she felt a strange reluctance.

Catherine: Thank you! I will let you know.

She replied, grateful for the out he had given her.

Dr. Sexy: Take your time. Until then, is it okay if we text?

Catherine hesitated, her finger hovering over the keyboard. Was it okay? Could she maintain a friendship with Jasper while sorting out her feelings for Phoenix? But then, wasn't that exactly what she was asking of Molly – to be friends with Phoenix despite her feelings?

Catherine: Yes, that's ok.

She finally responded, deciding that honesty and openness were the best policy. She could be friends with Jasper. She could handle this maturely.

Dr. Sexy: Cool. Well, I gotta get back to work. We'll text soon.

Catherine: Take care!

Dr. Sexy: You too!

As the conversation came to an end, Catherine exhaled deeply, feeling as though she had just run an emotional marathon. She placed her phone down and lay back on her bed, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings.

Did she want to meet up with Jasper? He was a nice guy, and even if she set boundaries and decided to keep things strictly platonic, she knew he would respect it. He had always respected her, always put her needs first. It was one of the things that had drawn her to him in the first place.

But as she lay there, staring at the ceiling, her mind kept circling back to Phoenix. She couldn't stop replaying their kiss over and over in her head, couldn't shake the feeling that something monumental had shifted in her world. The intensity of her feelings for Phoenix scared her, thrilled her, confused her.

In the end, she decided that it was better to let the past stay in the past. It wasn't fair to Jasper to revisit old feelings when her heart was so conflicted. It wasn't fair to herself either. With a heavy sigh, she picked up her phone one last time and typed out a final message to Jasper.

Catherine: Jasper, I think we need to leave this in the past where it belongs. I hope you understand, I am not looking to restart anything and I think it's best this way.

She hit send before she could second-guess herself, then waited anxiously for his response. It came quicker than she expected.

Dr. Sexy: I understand. Don't think that I am not disappointed, but I get it.

His reply was gracious, understanding – everything she had come to expect from Jasper. And yet, as she read his words, Catherine felt a strange mix of relief and sadness wash over her. It was truly the end of an era, the final closing of a chapter in her life.

As she lay there, processing the interaction with Jasper and all it represented, Catherine couldn't help but feel that she was standing on the precipice of something new, something potentially life-changing. The past was behind her now, but the future – with all its uncertainty and possibility – lay ahead, as unknown and thrilling as Phoenix himself.