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Can’t tonight. I have some things I have to take care of in the office.
I bite the inside of my cheek, my stomach tying in knots. He hasn’t answered me for hours, and this is what he sends? Like, seriously.
Letting out a breath to calm myself, I run my fingers through my straight hair.
I get that he’s busy with his summer classes and whatnot, but still. John and I’ve been dating for eight years. Sure, we’ve had our ups and downs, but lately, it seemed like there was a rift between us, and it was growing bigger by the day. I tried to talk to John about it, but he just brushed me off.
I nibble at my lower lip, thinking, my eyes still glued to his message.
“What the hell.”
Before I can give myself time to think, I save what I’ve been working on before turning my laptop off and getting to my feet.
One of the volunteers closed the center an hour ago and did the final check to make sure everything was in order, and while usually, I’d do another check regardless, today, I simply grab my things and leave.
My truck is parked in its usual spot, so I slide inside, making a quick stop at one of John’s favorite restaurants to grab us dinner before going to the campus.
The parking lot is mostly deserted since classes are long over for the day, so I park close to the door. Unbuckling my seatbelt, I grab the bag from the passenger’s seat.
Maybe John couldn’t make it out for a date, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t bring the date to him. Everybody’s gotta eat, right?
I open the door and slide out of the car, my gaze darting toward the front door just as it opens and a couple walks outside.
I start to turn around, to make sure I’ve locked my car when something prickles my attention, making me do a double-take.
The woman is gorgeous, wearing a short summer dress and high heels, her hair and makeup done as if she was going to a photoshoot for a cover or something.
But it’s not her who draws my attention. It’s the man that’s with her. He’s of average height, his dark blond hair slightly disheveled. He’s wearing a blue button-down and slacks, a jacket thrown over his hand. There’s nothing over the top about him, nothing that would draw attention, except that I’d recognize him anywhere.
“John?”
I don’t even realize I’ve said the word out loud until he turns toward me, mouth open, eyes wide as he faces me.
We just stare at one another, frozen in time. My heartbeat increases, and I can feel its franticthump-thump-thumpechoing in my eardrums.
What’s going on here?
Didn’t he say he had work to do at the office?
So why is he leaving already? And with that girl? Who is she? And why are they together?
“Vanessa, I…” John takes a step forward, extending his hand toward me, but I flinch back.
The girl grabs his hand, her perfectly manicured fingers wrapping around his forearm like they belong there. Like she has every right to touch him. Like she’s done the same thing a dozen times before. “Johnny, who’s she?”
“Johnny?” I ask, my fingers curling into fists by my side.
“Ness, I can…”
I shake my head, not wanting to believe what I’m seeing. “Who’s this,Johnny?”
The girl, completely oblivious to the turmoil swirling inside of me, smiles at me. “I’m his girlfriend, Amanda.” She flicks her hair behind her shoulder and takes me in from head to toe. “And who’re you?”
Girlfriend?
My whole body goes stiff as that one word rings in my mind as I try to wrap my head around what’s going on while at the same time making me nauseous.
Girlfriend. Girlfriend. Girlfriend.
