No Turning Back

Charlie Anton probably hadn't expected Paige's older sister to be me.

The black card in his hand hit the ground with a clatter.

I stared at Charlie, too stunned to even notice another ember rolling against my foot.

The last time we'd spoken was a month ago. Over the phone, he'd growled at me, barely holding back his anger.

"We got into the same university at the same time. We were supposed to graduate, get good jobs, and build a future together.

"Instead, you dropped out to support your sister and turned down the respectable job I found you, for five years of running a food stall.

"Your nails are stained with grease that won't wash out, and you reek of barbecue smoke no matter what you do. How am I supposed to get my parents to accept you like this?"

I'd just wrenched myself free from a drunk customer's groping hands when he called. Choking back tears, I stubbornly shot back.

"After Mom and Dad died, my sister was the only family I had left," I said. "And I don't see anything shameful about raising someone that successful with my own two hands.

"If you think I'm too embarrassing to introduce to your parents, then just say so and break up with me..."

He hung up before I even finished, and after that, he never contacted me again.

In the month since, I'd thrown myself into work, saving up for the designer bag Paige had been eyeing, and for a small gift to apologize to Charlie with.

Staying busy was the only thing that kept my longing for him from swallowing me whole.

Today, I'd finally saved enough.

On the little table behind me sat the handbag Paige had wanted for so long, and the diamond ring Charlie had once mentioned, the kind of limited-edition ring the brand restricted to a one-time purchase per customer.

So why had the two of them shown up together, only to tell me they'd reached the point of meeting his parents?

Maybe it was the alcohol, but Charlie just stood there, his eyes dark and unreadable, watching me.

No panic. No explanation.

Paige bent down, scooped the black card off the ground with a smug little smile, and tucked it into my pocket.

"See how thoughtful my boyfriend is? I don't need your money anymore, and I don't need you either. Just show up clean and presentable to the family dinner in three days. Don't embarrass me."

The card in my pocket burned against me like a live coal.

She had no idea. This wasn't the first time Charlie had put a black card in my hands.