“Is it because you want someone else?”

“No,” she says, eyes shimmering. “I want something else. Something I can count on.”

I swallow. “You can always count on me. You know that.”

“I know. In your own way, you mean that. But I’m talking about something different. A different kind of commitment. And I’m not going to ask you to change. I've just realized that... I need a change.”

She reaches for my hand and rubs her thumb across the back.

The gesture is tender. Final.

I don’t know what to say. I sit there, stunned. I want to fight for her, to ask her to stay. But the words don’t come.

“Say we’ll still be friends,” she whispers. “Because you’re one of my best friends, Caleb. You always will be.”

I nod, barely. My chest is a tight, aching knot.

This isn’t like our usual breaks. This isn’t temporary. This is Sarah Lockwood walking out of my future.

And all I can do is sit here and watch.

In a random streak of events, my mind returns to the one memory I constantly find myself trying to forget.

I wonder if this is how Nathaniel felt when I stole her from him years ago.

I wonder if it hurt just like this.

6

nathan

“Nathan, this is good. Really, really good.”

James, my Executive Assistant manager, smiles down at my screen, peering over my shoulder. Okay, he’s a little closer than necessary but I’m choosing to ignore that. I resist the urge to shift away.

What I did wasn’t anything spectacular, anyways. If only he knew I spent most of my morning answering emails and organizing data like some kind of digital butler.

Being an Administrative Assistant isn’t glamorous, but it’s steady. Secure. And in today’s world, that feels like something I shouldn’t complain about. Still… I can’t shake the gnawing feeling that my life is being swallowed whole by something I don’t even care about. There’s no excitement. No risk. But hey, the money’s decent. I guess.

“Thanks,” I say with a smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes. I adjust in my chair, subtly leaning away. James’s hand lands on my shoulder in a squeeze that lingers a second too long. I swallow hard, my smile freezing in place.

The tightness in my chest doesn’t ease until he finally walks off, whispering, “Yeah. Good job.”

What the hell was that?

I pull out my phone, needing the distraction. Lunch break’s coming up, and I already know where I’m going—and who I’m hoping to see.

Her story is the first one at the top of my feed. A quick tap and there she is: Sarah. Sitting on a café patio with sunlight dancing across her blonde hair, spooning tiramisu into her mouth like she’s in some indie rom-com. She's so damn cute. And just like that, my mood shifts.

“No, no, no.” Before I can react, Theo, Chief Investment Officer, partner to our boss, and, I guess, my best friend, snatches the phone right out of my hand.