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. Did

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

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

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

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 it

urprise. This was not the reaction she had anticipated.

sympathy. "You' re just upset. Ewing was just keeping me company bec

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 acro

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 no

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. "Y

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