After You, I Found the Sky Again

Synopsis

I'd already picked out our tenth-anniversary gift. When I switched payment methods at checkout, I accidentally selected the card linked to my boyfriend's account. I switched payment methods, intending to use my own card, but a notification flashed across the screen. [Your authorized user card has been deactivated.] My fingers hesitated for a moment, but I paid anyway and messaged James Reed. I asked: [You took me off your account?] James replied instantly: [Yeah.] I stared at the screen, my fingers scrolling up. For the past two months, no matter what I messaged James, he'd reply instantly, and it was always either "Yeah" or "Got something going on." I touched the little cat necklace he gave me, then booked a flight to Southgate for tomorrow morning. After landing, I checked into the hotel right across from James's place. While waiting for the elevator, I called my bestie, Sophie Lane. "Sophie, I think James has changed on me after this much time apart..." I said. Before I could finish, she cut me off. "Don't overthink it. I'm swamped today, I'll call you tomorrow," she said. The screen went dark. I put my phone away, swiped my room key, and the curtains slid open automatically. I couldn't help glancing at the floor James lived on. My best friend, who kept claiming she was busy, and James, who barely bothered to answer me, were laughing it up with my stepsister, the one person in the world I couldn't stand.