Saving a Seat for No One

Kylo's POV

I stood outside Eugene Grant's apartment with a bag of fever medicine. The door wasn't fully closed. From inside came his nasally, soft laughter.

"You rushed here overnight. What about the project in Northking? Are you giving it up? Are you seriously planning to stay in Southlake for good?"

Cindy Newman answered without hesitation, "I gave it up. You were here all alone with a fever. I couldn't stop worrying about you, so I applied for a transfer back in Southlake. We won't have to be in different cities anymore."

Eugene's voice lightened with amusement. "Then Kylo must be over the moon when he finds out."

"I only care if you're happy."

My fingernails dug into the plastic handles of the medicine bag, leaving pale, bloodless marks.

Three years ago, I clutched Mom's critical condition notice in one hand while tugging at Cindy's sleeve with the other, begging her to stay and not leave us for another city.

She pulled her suitcase behind her and walked away without looking back. "Kylo, you know how important this promotion is to me. I'm doing this for our future. Be mature."

The night she left to chase that future, Mom passed away. I cried alone until my whole body wouldn't stop shaking.

Over the past three years, I had brought up ending the long-distance relationship more times than I could count. I had even offered to quit my job in Southlake and move to Northking for her.

She turned me down every single time.

"The cost of living in Northking is too high. If you move here, you'll only hold me back," she had said. "Be mature and stop using our relationship to get in the way of my career."

The future and career she had treasured above all else suddenly became worthless in the face of Eugene's cold.

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

Cindy was sitting by the bed, holding a bowl of porridge. The moment she saw me, she visibly frowned. "What are you doing here?"

I set the bag of fever medicine on the cabinet. "I came to see Eugene. And while I was at it, I thought I'd meet the superwoman who flew 500 miles overnight."

Eugene quickly waved in panic. "Kylo, don't blame Cindy. I was burning up last night and complained to her without thinking much. I never expected her to drop everything and rush here. If it bothers you, I'll tell her to leave right now."

Cindy's expression darkened. "You're sick. How could I leave?"

She set the bowl of soup down, her face calm and unapologetic. "Cut the sarcasm, Kylo. Eugene's your best friend. He had a 102-degree fever. Was I supposed to watch him burn to death in his apartment?"

I looked at the bowl of creamy potato soup on the table. It was smooth and velvety, simmered until every ingredient had melted into the broth.

I had spent two weeks perfecting that recipe, making it over and over before finally writing down every step for Cindy on a sticky note. She had complained that none of the soup in Northking suited her taste.

Now, she used the same recipe I had taught her to care for another man.

"Two weeks ago, I also had a 102-degree fever myself. You told me to order meds online."

Cindy froze for a moment. "But you got through it on your own, didn't you? Eugene's different. He's not as independent as you are. Don't tell me you're actually jealous of your best friend."

All of a sudden, I found the version of myself who had texted her asking for help laughably pathetic. A bitter smile pulled at the corner of my lips.

She let out a sigh of relief, her face softening. "There. You're smiling, so let's put this behind us. Don't ever bring it up again. I've already applied for a transfer back to Southlake. We won't have to be apart anymore. You got what you wanted.

"Anyway, Eugene just said he's craving cake from Tony's Bakery. Pick one up from West Street, will you?"

I turned and walked out. It was then that my phone vibrated with a new text message.

"Mr. Irwin, the suit you reserved has arrived. When would you like to come by and try it on?"

"Change of mind. I'll cancel the order."

I had always believed a long-distance relationship was like waiting in a long line. As long as I kept the seat beside me empty, one day, she would come and take it.

Only then did I realize that the 500 miles between us took just eight and a half hours by bullet train. It wasn't that she couldn't come back. She had simply changed her destination long ago.

I knew there was no point in waiting anymore.