Chapter 2

The first year, he'd left me home alone for a business trip with Paige.

The second, he'd played her boyfriend to get her parents off her back about marriage.

This year? Today.

After everything, I finally broke down.

I held back sobs as I typed.

[Mom, I wish I hadn't stayed. I want to move to Southport and be with you and Dad.]

Enzo never came to bed that night.

At dawn, the door opened.

Enzo tugged at my blanket, talking to me like I was some clueless kid.

"It's been all night. You're still upset?"

Every fight about Paige went the same way. No explanation. Just the cold shoulder until I got over it.

In the morning light, I studied the face I'd known for over twenty years.

We'd grown up next door to each other. I'd always followed him around.

After I graduated college, my parents moved to Southport for their business.

I'd spent a month begging Mom to let me stay.

I'd even turned down an offer from a top dance company my mentor had recommended. I gave up the dancing I loved for over a decade and willingly took a humble receptionist job at Enzo's company.

Everything changed after I helped Paige get a job there.

He used to promise he'd love me forever and put me first.

Now his favorite line was, "Why can't you be more mature, like Paige?"

After all those years, part of me still couldn't let go.

"Enzo, yesterday was my birthday. You promised me dinner. You forgot."

He froze for a second, then frowned.

"So you took it out on Paige?

"You have a birthday every year. What's the big deal if you miss one?"

I stared at him. Even now, Paige's feelings came first?

Enzo seemed to realize he'd been harsh.

He softened his voice and sent me $250. "There. Buy whatever you want."

He paused. "Brielle, we're busy. We don't have time to keep making you feel better."

We.

Since when were he and Paige a "we"?

I gripped the blanket, then slowly let go.

The last of my love for him seemed to fade.

I took a deep breath and nodded.

"I get it."

He relaxed, pleased I'd stopped arguing.

"Okay. I need to pick Paige up for a meeting.

"Don't forget breakfast."

Enzo never went to work with me. Said he wanted to keep things professional.

Five years at Nortune, and only Paige knew we were together.

But he could pick her up and drive her home whenever he wanted.

When I'd asked, he'd said she was a top employee and my only friend. He had to look out for her.

Now I knew it was just an excuse.

At the office, Megan Grimes, the other receptionist, watched them leave for their meeting, ready to gossip.

"Brielle, guess what? Mr. Cowan came in with Paige again!

"You two are close. Are they dating?"

I swallowed the hurt. "Maybe."

"They have to be. I joked that they were perfect together, and he didn't even deny it!"

I froze.

He wasn't keeping things professional. He was hiding me.

I smiled. I was finally ready to let go.

At my desk, I wrote my resignation letter and turned it in.