Ethan’s jaw tightened. “Shit.”
We sat with that.
“She’s not staying at your place anymore,” I said, not accusing. Just observing.
“No,” he said. “Not after New York. We’re done and I mean it.”
His fingers worried the edge of his napkin. I watched him the way you watch someone you care about but don’t quite recognize anymore.
“You okay?” I asked.
He huffed a laugh. “I don’t know. I think I forgot what quiet feels like.”
When we stood to leave, we passed Chris’s empty cubicle again. Ethan slowed too this time. He didn’t say anything, but his shoulders stiffened.
“Do you think he’s okay?” I asked.
Ethan shook his head slightly. “I think everyone is just trying to figure out where their life goes next.”
That stuck with me.
I picked Sage up Friday evening.
She looked smaller than usual, curled in on herself in the passenger seat. Her eyes were red but dry now, like she’d cried everything out earlier and had nothing left.
My mom made carbonara. Real carbonara. Pancetta sizzling in the pan, eggs and cheese whisked together carefully so they didn’t scramble. The house smelled warm and familiar, like effort.
Sage ate without commenting. Drank wine. Laughed at something my mom said, then went quiet again just as fast.
Later, after my mom went to bed, Sage sat on the couch hugging a pillow to her chest.
“I loved him,” she said suddenly. “My ex. I really did.”
I didn’t interrupt.
“He wanted a house. Kids. A whole plan.” She swallowed. “I thought I had time to grow into it. I thought I’d figure it out.”
She stared at the dark television screen like it might show her something.
“Now it’s just… gone.”
I moved closer, leaned my shoulder into hers. She didn’t pull away.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I said.
She nodded, tears finally slipping free.
Outside, the wind rattled the windows. The world didn’t stop. It never did.
But for one night, at least, she didn’t have to face it alone.
CHAPTER 24
ETHAN
Tony didn’t call.
He just showed up.
