ra's

remind him of the secret life he had forced upon

eing forgotten-or worse, reduced to a

d to him, years spent chasing his fleeting affections, convince

ountless late-night calls and secret dates lat

everything lovers do, t

, one day, we would st

the next step, ready

tion caught me en

sorry. You're just my plaything. Someone convenient for me

is casual words, piercin

" as if my five years of devotion, my dreams

isunderstood our arrangemen

e the fi

t engaged to someone his parents approved of. Someone fro

sider for a serious relationship

razor-sharp, bl

of my life, my love,

ng to be tossed

ally tha

y me, why did he accept my c

ended the relationship right then

r, the light and shadows of the Pacific Coast Highway b

reech of tires, the crunch of t

m, Conrad stared at me, h

focating me. My hands, hidden behind Elliot, trembl

a stiff, barely

"My apologies, Aurora. I must have been mistaken. W

s worried for a second there that you were going to t

ng my arm around his waist a

a playful smile, and winked. "Da

r too kind and genuine to engage in an

d on the hand Elliot had resting on

o the sparkling engagement ring on my finger. Th

clipped and laced with disbelief, "

ot next month. It will be a small ceremony, just close family and friends

cked on me, a storm seemi

ght now, he was on the

just male possess

as just a "convenient hooku

t over it s

hatever you thought we were, it doesn't matter now-acquaintances or old f

shame, really. I always though

nt grinding of his teeth audible

all in

exact outco

bitterness washed ove

y life, my love, my vulnera

about inflicting pain; it was about find

nesia was my p

on Conrad for a second before tu

tly holding Elliot's, ready to leave. I fe

" Conrad

him, raising an

f conflicting emotions: anger, co

I told you that everything you think you'v