the forced cheerfulness on a ski trip I hated, the engagement photo where my eyes looked tired

e dropped her purse on the counter and wrapped her arms

ay," she murmured

logne on her hair, a scent I recognized as Leo' s preferred bran

her arms from my ne

her brow furrowed in feigned concern. "Are you still mad

ée. She had no idea that I knew. She thought I was still the

said, the lie tasting

miliar complaint. "You need to relax, Eth

ick I could barely

e counter. The screen

flash of panic in them. She quickly grabbed

piratorial whisper. "No, I just got home... Ye

rcing a bright smile. "Just a friend

steps a little too quick. "I' m goi

I said, my

e in the living room, listening to the water run. The silence that followed was p

new story. A short video of the sunset from the same beach, the corner of Chloe' s f

out him. He had once cornered me at a party, a smirk on his face. "You know, Chloe needs someone to tak

as drunken arrogance. Now, it

ht about the years I had spent trying to please her

I muttered to