Jake’s hand is on Patrick’s shoulder. Patrick’s head is down, shoulders hunched forward in a way I’ve never seen before. Jake’s mouth is moving, saying something quiet and serious.
They look like two guys having an adult conversation instead of trying to murder each other.
Although, oh my god, is that blood on Patrick’s collar? How could Jake?
But the worst seems over. They’re standing close, not squaring up.
Something in my chest loosens. Maybe Jake’s calming down. Maybe they’re working it out like rational men.
I move closer, my heels crunching on the gravel, but they’re too wrapped up in their conversation to notice.
“I really do care for her,” Patrick says, his voice rough. “I want you to know that.”
My heart does a little happy dance. He’s telling Jake he cares for me. This is it—he’s fighting for us, showing that what we have is real, not just a random office fling.
I’m about to step out from behind the hedge and let them know I’m here, ready to back him up. My mouth opens to call out—
“… when you end it, at least do it like a decent man,” Jake says. “Don’t destroy her in the process.”
End it?
Maybe he means ending the secrecy? The sneaking around? Maybe—
“I will,” Patrick says. “I crossed a line. I shouldn’t have started it.”
I freeze behind the hedge. One foot lifted mid-step. My whole body goes cold.
The gravel path blurs. The hedge. The distant lights from the hotel.
If he’d punched me, it would’ve hurt less.
I shouldn’t have started it.
The words echo. Bounce around my skull. I can’t tell if they’re still talking or if it’s just my brain on repeat.
I want to run toward them and screamDon’t talk about me like I’m not here, but my throat won’t work. My body’s gone stiff with shock.
I cover my mouth to stop any sound from slipping out because if they hear me now, if they know I’ve been listening...
The humiliation would be complete.
And that’s what this is, right? Pure, crushing humiliation. Not just that I’m losing Patrick—though that feels like someone’s carved my heart out—but that he could so easily agree to discard me. He said, “I shouldn’t have started it” and it was like every kiss, every laugh, every second of belonging was being rewritten as a lapse in judgment.
I’ve been walking around with my heart wide open, buzzing with happiness, while he’s been what? Already preparing to close the door?
My brain starts its familiar cruel whisper, all my worst fears crawling back:Of course it wasn’t real. Did you really think Patrick McLaren would choose you? You, with your anxiety and your inability to be casual about anything?Of course the CEO doesn’t end up with Button.
I think of Riri, how proud I thought she would be when I finally started taking risks.
Now here I am, pressed against a wall in the dark, listening to two men negotiate my fate like I’m not even part of it.
I’ve heard enough.
The knock on my cottage door comes an hour later.
I’ve scrubbed off the mascara streaks, thrown on some leggings and an old t-shirt, and braided my hair like I can just braid the girl in the green dress out of existence.
Through the peephole, Jake looks wrecked.
