Kicked Into Water, I Learned to Leave

I slept the entire flight and didn't look at her once.When we got off the plane, Tristan was waiting at the exit. He rushed forward and pulled Celine into his arms like they were a couple reuniting after a long separation.Celine had never cared what I thought before, but this time she pushed Tristan away immediately and shot a quick glance in my direction. When she saw that my expression hadn't changed at all, something flickered across hers that could have been disappointment or relief.Tristan didn't like being brushed off. He reached over and nudged her playfully. "Sophia and the others are throwing a party. Let's go. If we're late, they'll make us drink."We walked out together. Tristan clicked his tongue and sighed. "It's raining today, and I left the umbrella in the car. What was I thinking?"Celine reached over and ran her fingers through his hair, about to comfort him. Then she spotted the umbrella I'd already opened and snatched it right out of my hand."You're always

Celine could keep her self-righteous devotion. I didn't want any part of it.After I finished up at the office, I walked out the front door and found Celine waiting for me. My boss must have tipped her off.I kept my eyes straight ahead and started walking the other way, but I heard her footsteps closing in behind me."Are you done with this little tantrum?"She grabbed me before I could react, pulling me back several steps. Once I steadied myself, I looked at her calmly. "We already broke up. Is there something you need?"Celine stared at me for a few seconds, then bit her lip, unwilling to let it go. "Since when? My mom's birthday is today, and she keeps asking about you. Will you please just come?"I used to always show up early for her parents' birthdays. I'd cook, prepare stew, order the cake, and have the whole place spotless before anyone arrived.Then Tristan would stroll in late like he owned the place and pick apart every dish I'd made. By the time I actually sat down

"Come home, Gavin. You can't stay here forever."I shook my head. "That's not my home. We're not married."Celine clearly misread what I meant, because she jumped in immediately. "We can go to the courthouse tomorrow. We were planning to get married this year anyway. What's a few months early?"I almost laughed. Since when had the brilliant, top-of-her-class Celine Harper become this bad at reading between the lines?The sweat sticking my clothes to my skin was driving me crazy. I tugged at my shirt. "Stop coming to find me. I already told you, we're done."A flicker of humiliation crossed Celine's face. She opened her mouth, but before she could get a word out, footsteps came pounding up the stairs."Gavin! You forgot your ball!"Zoe bounded up the steps, all bright eyes and easy smiles. I took the ball and smiled back. "Thanks, Zoe. Want to come in for some water before you go?"Celine, standing right there being ignored, looked furious. Her sharp side came out before she cou

Once we had our technique down, Felix and I set up a little stand in the main square downtown. Zoe was incredibly helpful. She spread the word in her class group chats and her entire year's social media, so on day one, Felix and I were swamped.Everything we made was clean and delicious, and since we were just starting out, we gave all new customers a 20 percent discount. Most days, we'd have college girls texting us before we'd even opened, asking when we were setting up. Felix and I were riding high on our success.One weekend afternoon, I'd just finished making a wrap for the girl in front of me. When I looked up, Tristan and Celine were standing there.Tristan was grinning ear to ear, looking absolutely delighted. "This is what you've been reduced to, Gavin? Selling street food? Honestly, I can't say it looks that great either."Celine's expression was cold. She stared down at me like she was above all of it, poking at the condiments on my table. "This is what your life looks