I arrive early, hoping to catch Alfie alone. I need to clear the air before we have to perform our fake couple routine one last time. He’s already there, standing in the restaurant’s entrance, looking annoyingly perfect in dark jeans and a gray hoodie that makes me want to forget why I’m mad at him.
“Hey,” I say softly.
He startles, like he wasn’t expecting me. “You came.”
“Of course. Didn’t want to leave you hanging, make you explain why your girlfriend didn’t show for the big send-off.”
Something flickers across his face - pain maybe, or frustration. But it’s gone before I can read it, replaced by that careful blankness I’m starting to hate.
“I know I asked, but you didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to.”
He just nods, jaw tight. We stand there in uncomfortable silence, all our easy banter evaporated like it never existed. I want to ask what’s wrong. Want to understand why it feels like he’s shut me out again. But the words stick in my throat.
I’m the one pissed at him, not the other way around,right?
A sleek car pulls up outside - his family arriving. Before they can spot us, Alfie turns to me with an expression that makes my stomach drop.
“This is it then.”
“Yep.”
“They’re leaving. Mission accomplished.” His eyes won’t quite meet mine. “We can stop pretending now.”
“Makes sense.” I want to scream that it doesn’t. That despite everything it doesn’t make any sense at all in the world for the two of us to be apart.
“Yep.” He runs a hand through his hair. “You’re doing your thing, I’m busy with research. Let’s just... go back to being whatever we were.”
I swear my heart snaps into a thousand tiny pieces. Is that what he wants?
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.” His tone is final, cold. Fine.
“Good.” I straighten my shoulders. “It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, Alfie Spencer.”
Something like pain flashes across his face, but before he can respond, his family sweeps through the door in a wave of designer perfume and polished manners.
“Darling!” Mrs. Spencer catches my hands in hers, and I resist the urge to pull away. “So lovely of you to join us for one last brunch.”
As hellos are being exchanged, Gran catches my hand.
“You know what I love about you, dear?”
“What’s that?”
“You actually laugh at Alfie’s attempts at jokes. All these years I thought he didn’t have a sense of humor, turns out he just needed the right audience.” She pats my hand, eyes twinkling. “Though maybe help him work on his delivery a bit.”
“Gran,” Alfie protests, but he’s smiling that rare full smile.
“What?” She moves to hug me, surprisingly strong for someone so tiny. “Keep him laughing, dear. It suitshim.” I catch Alfie’s eye over her shoulder. He’s watching us.
“I’ll do my best,” I lie.
“Good.” She straightens Alfie’s collar with practiced affection.
“And you - don’t forget to visit your old Gran now that you’ve got someone much prettier to spend time with.”
