Third Wheeling My Own Relationship

My eyes stung.

I clenched my fists. "I'm going to get dinner."

No answer. Not even a glance.

I felt out of place, so I grabbed my bag and left.

Before closing the door, I looked back.

Paige said something that made Enzo laugh. He ruffled her hair, then brushed it off her forehead like it was nothing.

They looked so at ease together. My chest tightened.

I went to the Cajun place next to the office and ordered blackened fish.

While I waited, I scrolled through our group chat.

At noon, I'd sent:

[Don't forget—it's my birthday! Blackened fish tonight!]

[Paige: Got it.]

[Enzo: Paige and I don't like spicy food. Let's get steak.]

I'd said yes. Steak was my least favorite food.

They'd both been busy. We hadn't sat down for a real meal in forever.

Before Paige came along, Enzo and I ate spicy food at every meal.

Now, when all three of us went out, we never ordered anything spicy.

God, I felt stupid. How had I missed it? Paige came first.

My blackened fish arrived, steaming hot.

Through the steam, I saw Paige leaving the office, her arm linked through Enzo's.

He was carrying a cake.

Right. I'd had my birthday cake delivered to his office so we could take it to dinner.

Even that hadn't reminded them of me.

I looked away and dug into my fish.

Someone at the next table handed me a bottle of water.

"That spicy, huh? You're crying!"

I wiped my eyes and made an excuse. "Thanks. I can't handle spicy food."

"And you came to a Cajun place? Kids these days..."

I kept my head down and pretended not to hear.

By the time I finished, my phone still hadn't made a sound.

Enzo was on the couch when I got home.

He jumped right in. "Brielle, why'd you leave without telling me?

"And you're just getting home? You know I worry."

So worried, yet he hadn't texted me once.

"I told you I was leaving," I said evenly. "You were busy talking to Paige."

He looked uneasy for a second.

Then Paige's voice came through his phone.

"Is Brielle home?

"Good. She's been scared of the dark since we were in school.

"I'll let you go."

I checked the call timer.

What a joke.

"You were worried about me, but you've been sitting here talking to her for half an hour?"

Enzo frowned. "Can you drop the attitude?

"Paige was worried. She's been waiting for you to get home."

I forced a small smile and headed for the bathroom without a word.

Behind me, Enzo reassured Paige.

"Don't mind her. Every little thing sets her off. She has no clue how hard we work.

"Does everything have to be about her? This isn't your fault..."

I took a shaky breath and held back my tears.

After washing up, I got into bed. Mom texted.

[Did you have a good birthday, Brielle? Where'd Enzo take you for dinner?]

She had no idea he hadn't spent my birthday with me in three years.