Stanle

spent the night packing, sorting through ten years of a shared life that no

d. He stepped in, looking disheveled, but with a forced smile plastered o

spent the night with another woman. "Got you your favorite croissa

orite was almond. This was plain. And the coffee was black, not my usual latte

f emotion. "But I usually prefer almond

k. Anais has been particularly... demanding." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Anyway, I'm here n

n crawling at his touch. He seemed

ing out of his jacket pocket. It was a keychain, a miniature plush alpaca.

.. a little something I picked up. For a client's kid. You know ho

kid. Of course. Just like the sci-fi token. You really are a generous man, Howard." I tossed the alpaca onto the count

burned. "Kacey,

I walked out the door and into the crisp morning air, leaving him standing i

melling of damp earth and pine. With each step, the weight on my shoul

ng, my friendships with people like Juliette, were "distractions." Anyth

ing with Juliette, he'd imply I was "neglecting my wifely duties." My friends, especially Juliette, had tried to tell me. They saw the lig

accused me of trying to "embarrass" him, of "flaunting myself." He' d never defended me, never stood up for me. He ju

a reminder that my body was still strong, still capable. The wind whispered through the leaves, not

thrumming with exhilarating fatigue. I pulled out my phon

my breath. "I just summited the Re

one, full of genuine warmth. "I knew you still had it in

ke that. I'm thinking... Utah. National parks. Red

runs an adventure travel company out there. Specializes in guided tours. Cybersecuri

," I said, a smile playing on

shower, my phone started buzzing. Howa

e ar

't you a

with s

isn't funn

worry. This

u with? Is

e you socializing wi

or years, he' d neglected me, belittled me, made me feel invisible. Now that I was

d, I texted Juliette: "Tel

solid, Kacey. Smart, kind, loves the outdoors. Total opposite of.

n. It felt goo

t tonight. Just you and me. To that n

ey I know!" Jul

rinks flowed freely. I felt lighter than I had in years. Juliette and I were laugh

her eyes wide. "Oh my God, Kacey," s

r, was Anais. Her hand was on his arm, her body pressed close to his. He was looking at her, not with the strained smile

ear. She giggled, then lifted her face to his. The kiss was brief

the music, the laughter, the noise of the bar, all faded into a dull roar