Chapter 2

The rest of the meal passed in silence. No one brought up what had happened, and by the time we left the restaurant, the sun was setting. The clerks' office had already closed.

Yale checked his watch with a frown, clearly annoyed.

"Next time you feel like throwing a tantrum, at least pick a better time. We took time out of our day off to come with you, not to put up with your nonsense. If you could be as considerate as Willa, we might actually have gotten what we came for done."

Inconsiderate. Flaw number 197.

I silently added it to the list, my throat too tight to get a word out.

Today was their day off, not mine. Apparently, no one remembered that I'd worked through the night just to take today off.

Yale had always believed Willa was better at planning things, so he'd never bothered asking for my opinion when choosing dates.

Like the anniversary trip I'd been looking forward to for so long.

I'd waited eight hours at the airport and called him 108 times. It wasn't until after dark that he finally replied, as casually as if nothing were wrong.

"Willa said the day before yesterday was a better day to travel, so we already went. We're still getting over the jet lag. You're the one who wasn't free. Who else can you blame?"

Two days earlier, I'd been picking out an anniversary gift for him, a pair of matching rings I planned to surprise him with during our trip.

He'd asked if I was free, and I'd told him I was busy. He'd simply replied, "Okay."

Then he'd gone on our anniversary trip with my best friend instead, without telling me a single thing.

Out of spite, I'd decided to save the rings for our next anniversary. Then he'd see what he'd missed out on and regret it.

Yet nine years had passed, and he'd never spent a single anniversary with me.

The ring box was still lying in my suitcase, like a silent grave.

Willa gave Yale a playful punch on the arm.

"Hey, don't be mean to our Zoey! It's just a marriage certificate. You two can always get it another day."

Yale affectionately ruffled her hair.

"But you might not feel like coming next time. I know you. You're always changing your mind."

"Then what if I want to go see the ocean right now?"

"Your wish is my command."

Just like that, they'd decided where to go next, without a single word to me.

I watched them walk toward the beach, side by side in the golden light of the setting sun. The sight hurt so much I could barely look.

I wanted to ask Yale why Willa's willingness to come along mattered when it was our marriage certificate we were getting. My lips parted, but I couldn't bring myself to speak. I could practically hear what he'd say.

Maybe flaw number 198 would be that I was too jealous.

With a bitter little smile, I opened my chat with my boss.

[Ms. Zane, I've decided to accept the promotion you mentioned last time, the one that comes with a five-year overseas assignment.]

Her reply was a simple [OK. See you at the airport tomorrow at 2 p.m.]

When I looked up from my phone, Yale and Willa were leaning against each other in the distance. She'd completely taken the place that used to be mine, and they looked so comfortable together, as though it had always been hers.

While I stood there staring, Yale suddenly stopped and turned to wave at me.

"Zoey, come here!"

I instinctively drew a breath, ready to shout that they didn't have to wait for me.

Before I could get the words out, however, they'd already turned away, their shoulders touching once more.

The breath left my lungs like air escaping a punctured balloon.

I blinked a few times, then turned and walked in the opposite direction without looking back.

For nine years, I'd been the foolish little bird waiting in the same place for them.

For once, I wanted to spread my wings and fly away before they did.