on Kn

owing instinctively it wasn't Jayson. He was already long gone, back to Ciera's "emergency." It was a message from Sara

me unreadable perplexity. He looked like a detective trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. My lack of e

He knew I rarely got work calls this late. He was trying to figure out why I was so calm, so disconnected. His

no shame." I didn't open Instagram. I didn't need to. I already knew what I would find. Another photograph of Cie

face-down. I didn't want him to see the notification, to start asking questions I wasn't ready to

ponse than to delve into the intricate web of my true feelings. He wouldn't understand anyway. He never truly understood. He saw the symptoms,

were supposed to go to a pre-approval meeting, a big step. He called from the office, voice tight with urgency, explaining that Ciera had made a critical error on a rendering, and h

one with her, offering counsel, reassurances, and ultimately, agreeing to meet her at the office. I ate my expensive, cold meal alone, the candlelight a mocking glow against my solitude. He returned hours later, smelling faintly of coffee and Ciera's overly sweet perfum

so opaque. His brow furrowed again, a more pronounced line now. My calm detachment confused him even mor

nt tack. He walked further into the kitchen, his hands in his pockets, affecting a casual posture. "Remember that new Japanese restaurant that opened d

I knew his game. He would suggest something, something he knew I liked, and then, inevitably, Ciera would have another "emergency," and the sushi would rem

gh for a late dinner. We can celebrate the house, even if the deed isn't officially done yet." I watched him, a silent challenge in

d. The screen lit up, showing Ciera Mason's name. It was a cruel, perfectly timed interrupti

ing between my impassive face and the glowing screen. The decision, though, was already made. It always was. He rea

t was truly urgent. I have to take this," he explained, his voice already tinged with that familiar, self-important

him in his tracks. My tone was cold, devoid of the usual understanding he expected. "And yo

was carefully blank. He looked almost relieved that I wasn't fighting, wasn't crying. He mistook my calm for

y feelings. He was eager to escape, to return to his role as Ciera's hero. "I'll make it up to you, I promise. Next week, everything. The deed, the sushi, ev

latest post. A photo of Jayson's hand resting on that Montblanc pen, with the caption: "Thank you, J, for this gorgeous pen! Th

wouldn't even let me borrow to sign

ed my email, and found the offer letter from Foster + Part

press