Hold

musement. She was enjoying this. She was expecting a scene, a repeat of the countless times I

ed a ride to the airport. Our fifth anniversary, which he cut short because Bree had a fight with her on-again,

thick with tears and accusations. "Why is she alway

detached patience. "Don' t be ridiculous, Haven

the demanding one. And I, desperate for hi

to, a cold realization washed over me. He didn' t want to come here

ly didn' t care enough to see it. And my hys

this

nd walked over to their table. A

"Looks like you' re having a great time. Di

rom his face, his embarrassment quickly morphing into a flash of anger.

s voice low and furious. "Are you following me? This is

t that ridiculous text? To guilt-trip me? I can' t even have a mea

ur Thanksgiving for this "friend." He was the one sitting in a romantic booth,

my voice still calm. The steadiness of it seemed

? What you do, and who you do i

urprise. This was not the reaction she had anticipated.

ympathy. "You' re just upset. Ewing was just keeping me company beca

tress who just happened to need my boyfriend' s constant attention. I used to agonize o

business was with Ewing, an

from them. I walked to an empty table acr

replaying the scene in my head, dissecting every word, every look, torturing myself. B

a thought for anyone else' s preferences. The food arrived, and it was glorious. Spicy, flavorful, and all mi

conversation dri

said, her voice a stage whisper. "You' re n

t on her face, the subt

he continued, her voice laced with nostalgia, "you would just buy her a little

I held my breath, wait

lly, his voice low and tight. "

like fire on my tongue, and my eyes began to water. I quickly took a

nconditional love, and all it earned me was that. A back

I not pretty enough, not smart enough, not interesting enough? I tried so hard to be the perfect gir

never about me. It

ever came into the picture. I was just tryin

liberating. The addiction I had to his approval,

finall