Chapter 2

At the hotel, I gave my information to the front desk. The receptionist checked the booking, then looked at the three of us with a polite smile.

"Ma'am, you only reserved one room with two beds. Would you like to book a second room as well?"

I glanced back at Becca, gesturing for her to hand over her ID. But Nolan had his arm around her, as if the answer should be obvious.

"Becca's not feeling well. I'll take the double with her so I can keep an eye on her. You can get your own room."

My grip on the suitcase handle tightened until my knuckles went white.

"Nolan, I'm your girlfriend."

A flicker of impatience crossed his face. "Fiona, she's your best friend. When did you get so petty?

"This room has a better view and softer beds. She'll be more comfortable in it. You're tough; you've slept on a plywood cot before. A single room isn't going to kill you."

Every word made it sound like I was the one being unreasonable. He took the key card from the front desk and walked toward the elevator without looking back.

Becca tugged gently at his sleeve, looking faintly disapproving. "Nolan, you can't talk to Fiona like that."

But he just ruffled the back of her hair. "It's fine. Once you're well-rested, we'll all have a better time."

When he turned to look at me, every trace of warmth vanished from his face. "If you can't figure that out, stay here and think about it."

The two of them walked off together, and I stood there alone.

During the years Nolan was getting his business off the ground, I lived with him in a rental barely bigger than a parking space. That plywood cot was the best piece of furniture we owned. And now he was throwing it in my face.

I'd lost count of how many times he'd left me to deal with everything on my own. It hadn't always been like this. He used to say that the silent treatment was the fastest way to kill a relationship, that communication was what mattered most.

A tissue appeared in front of me. I looked up and met the worried eyes of the receptionist, and only then did I realize my cheeks were soaked with tears.

That night, a knock came at my door.

"Fiona, it's me."

I got up and opened it. Nolan stood there holding a hot water bottle against his chest.

"You didn't look good today. Your period's probably coming."

The warm light from the hallway softened his features, and for a second, it almost felt like he loved me.

He told me to lie down and pressed his hand against my stomach, rubbing gently. The warmth of his palm made me want to lean into it, just for a little longer.

"Fiona, her back injury was my fault. That's why I've been looking after her more. Don't be jealous.

"And the room thing, I only took the double because you're a light sleeper. I work late, and I'd just keep you up."

Everything he said sounded so considerate, like it was all for my sake. The walls I'd just started building were already beginning to crack. The word "okay" sat right on the tip of my tongue.

Then his next sentence knocked it right back down.

"Get some sleep early tonight. That way you can head out in the morning to pick up pastries from Bellamy's. The line takes a few hours, and I don't want Becca waiting around hungry."

His hand kept moving in the same slow circles, but the warmth against my skin suddenly felt like nothing at all. So that was why he came.

I pulled away from his hand and quietly shifted to the other side of the bed. He paused for a moment but kept going.

"Make sure you don't get anything too heavy. Becca's been trying to watch her weight.

"And nothing too sweet either. It hurts her teeth."

I lay there and listened. Since Becca came into the picture, this was the most he'd said to me at one time.

My pillow was wet with tears.