"I want to break up!" I blurt louder than I intend, causing the couple at the next table to turn and look at me. I straighten in my chair and look at Will, who has a confused expression on his face. "Will, did you hear me?"
“I did. I just don’t get it. Why? We’ve been great together.”
“No. No, we haven’t. I just pretend we are. And now I’m exhausted, and I need to just be honest.”
He rubs a hand over his face, looking flustered and unlike himself. “Is it another man?”
“No! God, no. I just don’t see us together in the long run. I care about you, deeply, but you’re not . . .” I trail off. How do you tell someone they’re inadequate to your wants and needs without hurting them? How do you tell them they’re selfish and thoughtless, and you deserve so much better? That’s the last thing I want to do, so instead, I say, “I’m sorry.”
He rests his head in his hands. “This is so random, Kenzie.”
I hear smashing in the back, and I turn to find the taller man is breaking dishes. I don't know what makes me do it, but I cannot handle this racket anymore. I stand up abruptly and stalk over to where he stands, making a mess.
“Do you fucking mind? People are trying to eat here, or at least hear each other.”
He turns, and I instantly recognize those sad brown eyes and dishevelled hair, the slightly parted lips, and a short beard. His eyes widen.
“You!” he growls, frowning down at me.
I have a sound mind to shake him up again, but instead, I place my hands on my hips and stare him down. His eyes never leave mine. "I'm not too keen seeing you again either, thank you very much."
He looks confused by my statement, lets out a growl, looks down at the mess he made, at the man behind him, then pushes past me. I stumble away and land against a nearby table.
“What was that about?” Will asks when I walk back to the table, my heart rate increased and my adrenaline pumping. Those angry brown eyes still in my mind.
“Nothing. Just a stranger I met at the store.”
“Are you serious about us breaking up? Can’t you give me one more chance? We can fix this.”
I reach across the table and take his hand in mine. “It’s just not working out, Will. I wish it was. I wish I could say it was all you or all me. The thing is, it’s so many things, and I just— I need space, not just to clear my head, but to re-evaluate my life. I cannot do that with you.”
“I love you, Kenz.”
"Then why has it taken you this long to say it? You had countless opportunities, but you never did, and you have to ask yourself why."
He hangs his head, and I let go of his hand.
“This is for the best, for both of us.”
He nods and calls over a waitress, who brings us the bill without us having to ask for it.
I hug him tightly outside the cafe, my hands around his waist and my face flush against his chest. I guess I’ll miss this, the feeling of being engulfed in another's arms. But it was time. I knew it.
“See you around, Kenz.”
I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. Turning on my heels, I walk away. The odd thing is that I should feel something. Disappointment, sadness, even loss. But I feel none of that, and it's how I know I've made the right choice. The only one worth making.
Chapter 3
Kace
"Igot fired," I say before they ask me how my job is going. I tried, and I failed. It's the second job since the day my brother suggested Italkto Tiffany. I worked at a bookstore, but I apparently didn't have the right attitude. My opinions on literature put people off. Bookstores are an escape, the owner told me. So, I picked up my phone and keys, flipped him off, and left the store.
The cafe was going well until I got distracted, messing up orders, and not understanding what the big deal is about serving whole wheat bread instead of rye.
My column was waning fast, and I received that dreaded letter from the editor telling me that if I didn't have a more current theme to present to them in two months, I'd be jobless.
"That's terrible. Sorry, Kace, I really thought this was the one," Tiffany says in a small voice, and Jax just shakes his head. Like serving people food and drinks is all I am cut out for.
