Chapter 1
When I got into an argument with my rival, Celia Tinsley, my boyfriend, Jaime Lyndon, didn’t just stay silent. In front of everyone, he flung his coffee right at me.
I froze for a second, then turned around and walked away.
That night, I handed in my resignation.
Everyone was shocked. After all, Jaime and I had grown up together, and I’d been in love with him for twelve whole years.
On the day I left, he looked at me, confused. “Seriously? Just because I threw a cup of coffee at you?”
I didn’t even glance back. “Yeah. Just because you threw a cup of coffee at me.”
***
When Jaime splashed coffee in my face, I didn’t move.
The icy liquid dripped down my clothes.
He’d thrown it hard, and the coffee hit my face with a dull thud.
My skin instantly turned red, a burning pain shooting across my nerves.
I stared up at him, stunned.
My boyfriend, Jaime–right when I was standing up for myself in front of my coworkers–told me to shut up in front of the entire conference room.
10:09)
Chapter
Just because I wouldn’t back down, he didn’t hesitate to hurl his coffee at
- me.
He watched as I stood there, drenched and humiliated.
His fingers hovered in the air for a moment, as if even he was surprised, but then his expression hardened with irritation.
“Gracie Rowden, do you have to make a scene right now?”
The blue light from the projector cast a cold shadow along his tense jawline, making him look even more distant.
People started whispering. Some ducked their heads, pretending to shuffle through their papers.
Celia closed her laptop slowly and let out a soft laugh. “Mr. Lyndon, don’t be so harsh on the poor girl. Look, she’s so scared she can’t even speak.”
Her words poured gasoline on the fire.
Jaime suddenly slammed a folder down on the table.
The loud bang made everyone jump.
He glared at me, his expressionless face. “This is a workplace, not your home. If you can’t keep your personal feelings out of the project, you don’t belong here. Consider this your warning. Next time, you’re out.”
The conference room fell silent.
I touched my soaked face, and suddenly, it all seemed absurd.
Twelve years.
Jaime and I had grown up together. I’d loved him for 12 years.
24934
10091
Chapter 1
He always said I was childish and too emotional.
But this was the first time he’d ever humiliated me in front of everyone.
My eyes burned.
Laughter and whispers swelled around the room, my coworkers leaning in to gossip.
Celia leaned against Jaime, her red lips curling in a victorious smile.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned and walked out of the conference.
room.
I didn’t know where I was going–I just knew I couldn’t stay at work, and I couldn’t face either of them.
Outside the office building, the sunlight was so bright it hurt my eyes.
In the glass doors, I saw my own reflection–disheveled, makeup ruined. by coffee stains..
I stopped at a convenience store and bought a pack of wipes and a face.
mask.
The young cashier glanced at me, then quietly slipped two extra strawberry candies into my bag.
“Here, have something sweet,” she whispered. “There’s nothing in this world you can’t get through.”
I stood by the trash can, clutching the candy wrappers, and suddenly remembered my first day of school when I was six.
Jaime had done the same thing–pressed a strawberry candy into my hand and promised he’d walk in with me.
