di

ltering through the windows when I

as b

cold leather sofa in the dark, the silenc

nd, he carried a small paper bag with the fa

. The scent of coffee and toasted almonds-on

ht," he began, his voice a low, placa

different scent hit me. Not his. A subtle, wood

o Sant

ane's sign

burned. I took

pression shifted from contrition to co

is voice was level, but a

ch me," I

dramatic. Catarina had a breakdown. Her

g himself her friend wh

cat logo seemed to mock me. I thought of him stroking that c

d into the kitchen, and dropped the entire

ith a soft,

tience was gone. "What the hell is wrong with you, H

e him. "I've lo

ng would have. A flicker of something that looked li

are getting married in two weeks. You don't g

hat startled us both. "A misunderstanding that sme

the air between u

c in his eyes, quickly mask

through

ght there for the world to see,"

s patience snapped. The charming fiancé

ning his collar. "You want to

simply turned, picked up his car keys

hand on the handle. "We'll finish thi

. The sound echoed in

can, at the croissant slowly soaking up spilled co

let. Nothing came up but bitter acid. The pain in my abdomen seized me again-a

ection in the mirror. My face

ng for him to te

ng to get