In the past, I would have been planning a
huge party.
But I did not this time.
5:00 PM, I was on the way to the airport.
My phone was blowing up.
My dad texted. “Why are you late? Your aunt
and Tiffany are already here.”
Г
“Sarah, you need to be the bigger person,
Jason will be a part of our family in the
future.”
“If you don’t show up, what will people think?
They will think that you and your sister hate
each other.”
It was all so ridiculous. I blocked him.
Right as I was boarding, I got a text.
It was from Jason.
“Where are you? Everyone’s waiting.”
I laughed and blocked him.
Then, I boarded the plane and never looked
<
Chapter 2
- 9.
It was already seven.
Jason still hadn’t announced the party had
started.
He was sitting on the couch, fiddling with a
lighter.
Looking spaced out.
Every few minutes, he’d check his watch.
Then he’d unlock his phone.
“Jason?” Tiffany tugged at his sleeve.
“It’s getting late. Everyone’s starving…”
r
Jason looked at her, a smile on his face, but
it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Are you hungry?”
He pinched her cheek, teasing.
“I’m starving! I can’t wait for cake.”
Tiffany snuggled up to him.
Jason caught a whiff of a faint, familiar scent.
He froze.
“What perfume are you wearing?”
“I just grabbed something from the
bathroom,” Tiffany said, surprised. “Why? Is it
く
Jason shook his head. “It’s fine.”
It smelled just like Sarah’s perfume.
He just couldn’t remember what brand.
While everyone was goofing off, Jason went
to the patio for a smoke.
Still no reply on his phone.
Dead silence.
He remembered Sarah saying she’d never
miss his birthday again.
She sure broke that promise fast.
Jason’s eyes narrowed, a cold smile twisting
“Sarah, are you dead? Text me back.”
He hit send.
But the message didn’t go through.
A red exclamation point stared back at him.
He was blocked.
Jason called her without hesitating.
Straight to voicemail.
He stood there, staring into the night.
A fire was building in his chest.
He was the one who dumped her the one
wno Touna someone new.
He was the one who got tired of her.
But now that he got what he wanted…
He wasn’t as happy as he thought he’d be.
- 10.
I got to the city and didn’t call Chris right
away.
First, I met up with my best friend from
college, Heather.
I wanted to tell her my secret.
But I couldn’t figure out how.
Then, Heather throws this welcome–to–town
-7
He was standing in the doorway in a black
suit.
His coat slung over his arm.
The lights behind him cast this crazy glow.
He was just standing there.
After all these years, he was even hotter.
Calmer.
He was my fiancé now.
My cheeks flushed.
I twisted the lace on my dress.
<
Heather goes nuts. “Chris! What brings you
here?”
“I was doing business nearby. I saw some old
classmates, so I had to come.”
Chris’s eyes found mine and lingered.
“Hope nobody minds me crashing.”
“Are you kidding? We’re stoked!”
Everyone was all over him.
Except me.
I was staring at my feet.
Chris wasn’t having it.
L
“Sarah, long time no see. You don’t recognize
your old pal?”
I looked up and BAM!
His eyes met mine.
My face turned bright red.
I stood up, grabbed my drink. “Chris. Good to
see you.”
- 11.
“Good to see you, Sarah.”
Chris gave me this deep look, then clinked
glasses with me.
I took a sip of my drink.
く
Heather yanked on my sleeve. “Girl,
something’s going on.”
“What do you mean?”
“Chris has been staring at you since he
walked in.”
“You’re seeing things, Heather.”
“Honey, I’m a gossip queen. I can spot
chemistry a mile away.”
I bit my lip.
My heart was going wild.
After graduation, I followed Jason back to
D.C.
<
D.C.
I never saw Chris again.
Besides the occasional holiday text, nothing.
Then Jason started chasing Tiffany.
Chris hit me up.
