Chapter 3

After our last fight, Henry and I settled into a stalemate.

The time he spent with me dwindled, while his presence in Jessica's social media feeds grew more frequent.

Seeing those photos, I felt the love I once had for him slowly turn to ash.

I wondered if there would come a day when my feelings for him would simply burn out, and on that day, I would be ready to leave.

*****

"Anna, we're having a get-together at Riverside Grill tonight. You're our drinking champion. You can't bail on us!" a friend said.

"Alright, I'll be there," I replied.

My cast was off, and my injuries had mostly healed.

A night out with friends seemed like a good way to numb my mind.

I pushed the door open, and my eyes immediately locked with a man seated across the room.

It was Henry.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face. His lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out.

Seated right beside him was Jessica. She wore a white pearl-studded chiffon dress, looking as pristine as a freshly bloomed gardenia.

She spotted me and glided over, linking her arm through mine with a childish pout.

"Anna," she cooed, "I have to thank you for letting me borrow Henry these past few days."

Her words sent a wave of knowing looks and whispers across the room.

"Listen up, people! Jessica's buying tonight. It's a little thank-you for being the best," someone announced.

I felt like I was sitting on pins and needles, forced to watch their cheerful banter. If I had known Jessica was hosting, I would never have come.

But it was too late to leave without causing a scene, so I had no choice but to endure it.

"Let's get the spicy Cajun crawfish, the Nashville hot chicken, the Buffalo wings..." Jessica listed off dish after dish, all intensely spicy. "Anybody here not a fan of spicy food?" she asked innocently.

"Oh, wait, can't Anna handle spicy food?" someone said.

All eyes turned to me, as if I were some difficult diva ruining the fun.

"We shouldn't let one person's taste spoil it for the whole group," Henry said coolly. "Jessica's the host; she should order what she likes."

His words made Jessica light up, and she shot me a smug, challenging look.

It was as if she were saying, "See? Henry's got my back."

She asked if anyone couldn't handle spicy food, but then went ahead and ordered a bunch of extremely spicy dishes anyway.

Throughout the meal, I watched the spicy dishes circle the table, my appetite completely gone.

I just kept drinking, one after another. Henry quietly transferred some of the milder items to my plate, but I let them sit there, untouched.

"Baby!" Jessica called to Henry, then feigned a gasp and turned to me. "Oh! Anna, I'm so sorry. I forgot you were here. That's just my silly little nickname for Henry from our college days."

Jessica's eyes welled up with perfectly timed tears, making it look as though I was the one being so mean to her.

"I'm sorry, something just came up. Please, enjoy the rest of your evening," I said, my voice tight.

I couldn't stand another second of her performance. Snatching up my purse, I walked out without a backward glance.

Behind me, I heard Jessica's voice break into sobs. "I'm so sorry, everyone. I shouldn't have let it slip about the 'baby' nickname. It was just a silly joke from college. I know Anna is sensitive. I never meant to hurt their relationship."

Jessica was now crying in earnest, the picture of a wronged innocent.

I couldn't understand her tears.

She was the one who had won every round, yet here she was, playing the victim.

Meanwhile, I had done nothing and was now branded as the 'sensitive' girlfriend.

"Anna," Henry's voice called out.

"Get back here! You're embarrassing Jessica," he insisted, his voice rising.

I kept walking, but his footsteps quickened behind me. "Anna Lawrence, stop!" he demanded.

He caught up to me, his fury palpable.

I felt his hand lock around my wrist like a vise, and he spun me around, forcing me to meet his furious gaze.

I crossed my arms, holding his gaze with a scornful smile.

"What's this?" I taunted. "Did I upset your precious baby? Are you here to demand an apology from me for her?"

"Anna, she's just a friend from college. That's all. Why are you so insecure?" Henry snapped.

"Now go back and apologize. You ruined the night for everyone."

A bitter, disbelieving laugh escaped me.

"What unspeakable crime did I commit," I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "that you had to chase me down to demand an apology for her?"