The mischievous look I liked so well on Trey returned. “Better get on that then. True love waits for no one.”

“True love, huh?” I shook my head in exasperation. “So nice to have you back.”

That earned me an outright grin. “See you around.”

As soon as I was alone, I texted Brayden: Sorry for the radio silence. Lost my phone for three days. His response was almost immediate: I’m at work, due for a break soon. Come by? I thought about it. Seeing as I had no life-saving tasks right now, this was as good a time as any. I texted back that I’d leave Amberwood right away.

Brayden had my favorite latte ready for me when I got to Spencer’s. “Based on when you were leaving, I calculated when I would need to make it in order for it to be hot when you arrived.”

“Thanks,” I said, taking it. I felt a little guilt that I had a greater emotional reaction to seeing the coffee than him.

He told the other barista he was going on break and then led me over to a remote table. “This won’t take long,” Brayden said. “I know you probably have a lot of things to do this weekend.”

“Things are actually starting to lighten up,” I said.

He took a deep breath, showing that same resolve and anxiety he’d had when asking me for future dates. “Sydney,” he said, voice formal, “I don’t think we should see each other anymore.”

I stopped mid-sip. “Wait… what?”

“I know how devastating this probably is for you,” he added. “And I admit, it’s hard for me too. But in light of recent events, it’s become clear you just aren’t ready for a relationship yet.”

“Recent events?”

He nodded solemnly. “Your family. You’ve broken off a number of our social engagements to be with them. While that kind of familial devotion is admirable, I just can’t be in that kind of volatile relationship.”

“Volatile?” I just kept repeating his key words and finally forced myself to get a grip. “So… let me get this straight. You’re breaking up with me.”

He thought about it. “Yes. Yes, I am.”

I waited for some internal reaction. An outpouring of grief. The sense of my heart breaking. Any emotion, really. But mostly, all I felt was kind of a puzzled surprise.

“Huh,” I said.

That was apparently enough of a distraught reaction for Brayden. “Please don’t make this harder than it is. I admire you a lot. You’re absolutely the smartest girl I’ve ever met. But I just can’t be involved with someone as irresponsible as you.”

I stared. “Irresponsible.”

Brayden nodded again. “Yes.”

I’m not sure where it started, somewhere in my stomach or chest, maybe. But all of a sudden, I was consumed by uncontrollable laughter. I couldn’t stop. I had to set down my coffee, lest I spill it. Even then, I had to bury my face in my hands to wipe away tears.