ys known a

miles away and married to someone else. He talked about her sometimes, a nostal

arents died. The one his grandmother had pushed him to marry on her dea

in our living room,

we had picked out together. He fluffed

up at me fr

r voice loud enough for me to hear clearly from the kitchen, where I w

she had a history with him that I could never

unter, my knuckl

ne, warm smile that reached his eyes. It was a

k the throw blanket off the back of the armchair,

not with me. The thought was

Ethan, I feel a bit dizzy all o

icate hand to

me home? I don' t think I

to make him her sole protector, and to forc

stop myself, th

' s our ann

hardening. The warmth he showed Ch

snapped. "Can' t you see she' s s

e sharp. "We said we would always be there for our friends, no

a weapon to use against me. He ma

d to build a life with, was gone. In his place was a stranger who looked at me

of me. There was

y, fell away again. This time it was for good. I had to

aid. My voi

istance. He stared at me for a second,

smell of her perfume lingering in the air. The anniversary dinner I ha