No Substitute for Love

Chapter 4: The Substitute Expert's Advice

After Alex returned to his home office, Lily's phone buzzed nonstop with messages from Alex.

"Dude, you were spot on. Got real close today during that back rub. She was so soft, and man, that scent. Hard to not just go for it and wrap my arms around her..."

"Whoa, sidetracked there.

"What's my next move? Hit me with your wisdom."

Lily blinked. Their only contact was a brief shoulder rub! Was Alex not the guy she thought he was?

Shaking off the thought, she typed back, "It's all about nailing that imitation game.

"Get that down, and you're golden."

Lily, now fully immersed in her role as the substitute expert, continued to guide Alex towards a more open and affectionate approach to his marriage.

Alex's response was tinged with uncertainty. "I've been trying to imitate my wife's college senior, thinking that's what she wanted," he confessed. "But lately, it doesn't seem to be having the desired effect. I fear that I may be losing her love and interest."

Lily was genuinely curious about who Alex was mimicking.

He shot back, "Been trying to channel her old college flame, but no dice lately.

"She's barely giving me the time of day. Missing a piece of the puzzle?"

Lily felt a chill.

"Ever think you might be barking up the wrong tree?"

She couldn't recall a college flame fitting that "first love" bill.

Alex was adamant, "No way! My housekeeper saw her slip him a love note!"

He sent a photo.

"It's all here!"

Lily peered closer. There she was, handing out event flyers, not love notes.

Could Alex really confuse the two?

His messages kept coming:

"My housekeeper saw her all teary at that guy's wedding. My heart just broke for her."

Another photo popped up. There was Lily, at a wedding, seemingly lost in a moment of sorrow.

But it was the wedding of a close college friend, and those were tears of nostalgia and happiness.

And then...

"Can't stand seeing her hurt. I'll be the perfect stand-in. No more tears on my watch!"

Alex wrote. "These moments prove that she still harbors unrequited love for her senior. Why else would she be so friendly with him and then cry at his wedding?"

Lily stared at the photos, a mix of amusement and exasperation washing over her. She couldn't believe how drastically Alex had misinterpreted these innocent interactions. Taking a deep breath, she composed her reply. "Alex, I think you may be reading too much into these situations. Handing a flyer to a classmate doesn't necessarily indicate romantic interest, and crying at a wedding could simply be a result of the emotional atmosphere or personal memories. It's not always about a specific person."

Maybe directness was key: "Why not just talk to her? Could be a big mix-up..."

Alex hesitated, "But what if that upsets her?"

Lily assured him, "Trust me, she won't mind."

She paused, considering her next words carefully. "I strongly suggest that you talk to your wife directly about her feelings. Ask her about her college senior and whether she still has any lingering affection for him. I assure you, she won't be upset by your questions. In fact, she'll likely appreciate your openness and desire to understand her better."

With a mix of persuasion and logic, she convinced him.

Hearing the door unlock upstairs, Lily casually lounged on the sofa, phone out of sight.

Alex walked in awkwardly, clearing his throat.

Lily played it cool, watching his clumsy attempt to start a conversation.

Silence hung heavy until Alex, desperate, grabbed his phone.

"So, heard anything about Brad's company shake-up?"

Brad? Oh, the wedding guy.

Lily played dumb, "Brad who?"

Alex stumbled, "Your college senior, remember?"

Lily blinked, confusion etched across her face. "My college senior? I'm sorry, Alex, but I genuinely don't remember the person you're referring to. Can you give me more details?"

Alex's eyes widened, taken aback by Lily's response. He had been so convinced that Lily's heart belonged to another man that her lack of recognition left him stunned. Composing himself, Alex realized that perhaps his assumptions had been misguided all along.

Confused, Alex fiddled with his phone, then shrugged, "Must've got it twisted."

Lily watched as he retreated upstairs, his demeanor lighter than before.

No sooner had the door clicked shut than her phone vibrated.

"Genius move! She doesn't even know the guy!

"All a big mix-up?"

Lily couldn't help but smile.

A classic case of crossed wires.

But Lily wanted the Substitute game to continue because she still had her own questions unanswered.

She replied, "Even if it's a mix-up...

"Isn't she still giving you the cold shoulder? Maybe you're not the one she's waiting for."

Alex went quiet.

Surprisingly, a call came through, blaring. It was Alex.

Her heart raced as the office door creaked open.

Their eyes met, and then his gaze dropped to her lit-up phone screen.