How to Get Over Your Ex in Ninety Days

by Jennifer Peel

It suggests, though, that you be mindful of anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. You need to remind yourself that your mind takes ninety days before it can switch gears and you can picture your life in a different direction.”

Do you want to come with us? I didn’t need to hear her voice to know she was begging me to say no. She wanted to spend the day with her husband. I couldn’t blame her. But in my head, I wished them and their cute love-filled marriage to the fiery depths.

“What a shame. I have found that personal relationships, no matter who we are, should be maintained above all else. I think there will be a mountain of regret on the horizon.”

There was nothing more romantic than the man you love reading to you.

I still loved him. And I hated him for it.

I’M TEN PERCENT OF THE way there. Too bad I don’t feel ten percent over him. I wish they had a rehabilitation clinic for this type of situation.

“PB.” For a moment, my heart hiccupped. That was a personal foul using my nickname. End zone, end zone. I ignored him. His legs caught up to me as I barely walked through the front office doors. I could hear him walking behind me, but I was determined for there to be no interference.

My mom always said you should never count your chickens before they hatch, and I realized now I had raised a whole chicken farm in my head when it came to my future with the aforementioned imbecile grandson. In eighty days, all I would have left was a bunch of fried chicken. That sounded a little more morbid than I meant it.

“This too shall pass.” “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. How do I make that happen? And quick.” He chuckled. “There is no remedy for love but to love more.” “You’re quoting Thoreau to me?” “There is wisdom there, and isn’t that what you’re seeking?” “I don’t want to love more. It’s too painful.” My eyes welled up with tears. “Then you have been blessed to know genuine love.”

“Ah, my dear, it is a shame that he has thrown away such a gift, but make no mistake, he loved you. That was apparent.” The tears escaped and fell into my lap. “I thought so too, but if he really loved me, how could he walk away so easily?” “I’m not a betting man, but I would wager staying away from you is the hardest thing he’s ever done.”

“You know, maybe the more love Thoreau spoke about was the love we should have for ourselves. Don’t you dare let Jackson’s actions make you think any less of yourself.

Why couldn’t he be a loser ex? Probably because I avoided dating losers when possible. But they were so much easier to get over.

I think I’ll do some research. Or maybe raise some Kaine?

I guess that is the hardest part for me. Reconciling the man I dated with the man who broke up with me.

It didn’t seem right that a man as good looking as he was didn’t cause any sort of physiological response in me. It was a crime against nature.

He quoted The Princess Bride—it was how it became our movie—“Since the invention of the kiss, there have only been five that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind.” He said that after many of our kisses. And now I hated him for it because it was true.

I scooted as close as I could to Kaine, who was on the phone with Sandra, trying to work it out. You think I’m kidding. I wish I was. Do you know what it’s like to be on a date with a man who talks to his ex for most of it? I don’t know how many times I heard the phrase, “Baby, I’m so sorry, please forgive me.” My favorite was, “I fished your engagement ring out of the toilet.”

I hated him for caring enough to make sure I made it home safe, but not caring enough to take care of my heart.

Riverton High School was becoming more and more like an episode of General Hospital or Pretty Little Liars. I figured, why not add to the drama of it all? I decided I was going to ask Brad to be my willing victim.

“It’s never good when you try to balance everyone’s expectations. You’ll always lose yourself.” “I guess my expectations were too much, so I had to go,” I spat.

“I know I have a lot of making up to do.” “Don’t waste your time.” “I’m not giving up.” “You already did,” I choked out. He stopped and kissed my head, letting out a long sigh. “I know. It was a huge mistake.” “We’re not getting back together and keep your lips to yourself.”

“You don’t need to do that.” “I want to.” “Let me rephrase. I don’t want you to.” “I realize that, but I can’t leave you alone like this.” “How does the district and your dad feel about that?” I didn’t need to physically hit him. He stopped and placed his arm over his gut like I had punched him. “That’s what I thought.”

“Presley, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for us to get so messed up. You’re beautiful when you’re angry, though. And I have a feeling you are only going to get more beautiful this next little while. Someday I’ll tell you everything. Like how I know about Capri’s and your plan to get over me in ninety days.”

PB, I know you think the obstacles in our way are insurmountable, but I’m willing to climb any mountain for you. Get some rest. Call me if you need anything. Love you, J.

not even sure what we had before was real.” I threw open my door. His hands fell to his side and his head dropped. “My love for you is real. I’ll do my best to prove that to you. To earn your trust back.” “Please don’t.” I slid into my car and shut the door. I drove off, shaking and doing my best not to cry. In my rearview mirror, I watched him running his fingers through his hair and looking like he just lost his best friend. I felt the same way.

I get we were good together and forgiveness is a beautiful thing. I fully intend to forgive him someday for my own well-being. That doesn’t mean we should get back together.

I don’t think you gave yourself or her enough credit back then. See, when a woman gives you her heart, all she wants to know is that you will cherish it and give her yours in return.

oh, then they sang my favorite song, “Every Night.” The song that I felt was Jackson’s and my anthem. I was sure they wouldn’t perform it. It wasn’t a song that was ever played on the radio, but it was one of those songs that spoke to me. That put into words all the emotions I felt when Jackson took me in his arms. “Our song,” he whispered in my ear. When I didn’t pull away like I probably should have, he drew me closer. His hand glided up and down my back as we swayed to the music like we were the only ones in the crowd. I felt like someone had watered me after a drought. I clung to him like a hurt child would to his mother. Tears spilled over onto his shoulder where my head rested. For those few minutes, I belonged to him. We were us. It was the best birthday present I could ask for.

“I would tell them all to go to hell, because that’s what these last couple of months without you have been for me. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And whether or not you want me to, I’m not willing to give up on us.”

“What if he’s unhappy I’m here?” She touched my cheek. “Impossible. I don’t want to see you two until you’re ready to set a date.” “Miss Liliana.” “I’m serious. Like I said, time is a precious gift, and I will not see any more wasted.”

“Isn’t this the day you had planned to be over me?” Can you believe he said that to me? Me either. But as you know, I knew he knew. So I grinned and informed him he should probably make sure the next time that I really was sleeping. But, honestly, we both had a good laugh over my foolish plan. It had been doomed from the start. That’s okay, because he said he wanted to offer me another plan. The forever one.

And on those days, remember that love is a choice, so always choose love.”