Chapter 1
At the class reunion, Jessica Frost suddenly brought up the pact she and Alex Rivers had made.
"Alex, you said if we were both still single by thirty, we'd be together, "Jessica said.
"I'm still single. What about you?" she asked.
Alex raised an eyebrow, smiling nonchalantly.
"I'm single too," he replied.
"So, are you going to be with me?" Jessica teased.
The classmates started teasing, shouting that they should get together.
Amid all the noise, someone noticed I wasn't saying a word.
"Your best friend is about to get her happy ending. Why aren't you saying anything?" someone asked.
I glanced at Alex for help, but he didn't even look at me, just kept serving Jessica food with that gentle touch.
Back when we first started dating, I asked him when we'd make it official, but he always said, "Just wait."
At school, he worried people would talk; at work, he was afraid of office gossip.
Ten years went by, and he still pretended not to know me in public, while acting all sweet with Jessica.
We fought, we broke up, and we made up again.
This time, I just didn't feel like fighting anymore.
I lifted my glass and smiled, "Congratulations. That old promise finally paid off.
"I'm heading to a blind date myself, maybe this time I'll meet someone special."
*****
I downed my drink in one go, and the laughter around me got even louder.
I leaned back with a smile, listening to the old classmates shower Alex and Jessica with compliments.
"They were always a perfect match, student council president and head of publicity. Brains and beauty, the whole package," someone said.
"Wherever Jessica was, Alex would show up," another chimed in.
"Back then, she had a boyfriend, so he couldn't make a move," someone else added.
I kept a smile on my face as I listened to them talk.
My eyes prickled with emotion, almost spilling over with tears.
But I kept it together, pouring myself drink after drink.
Suddenly, a strong arm reached over and took my drink away.
"You've had enough," he said.
My heart skipped a beat, but when I looked up, it wasn't Alex.
It was the class president, looking at me with concern.
"You're a single girl drinking this much, who's going to take you home later?" he asked.
I instinctively glanced at Alex, but he was totally absorbed in his phone, not even looking up.
I gave a wry smile, was about to reply, when Jessica's voice cut in.
"Of course, it's me," Jessica chimed in.
I looked up and saw Jessica draped herself over Alex, grinning from ear to ear.
"Claire and I haven't seen each other since graduation, it's the perfect time to catch up and reminisce," Jessica said.
"No," Alex cut in, frowning. "You've been drinking, it's not safe. I'll take you home."
Jessica pouted. "What about Claire?"
Alex just gave me a careless glance, barely interested.
He said, "She can just order a driver or whatever.
"With all the tech these days, she won't have any trouble getting home."
If I wasn't Alex's secret girlfriend, I wouldn't even feel a thing about being ignored.
But I'd spent ten years with him.
Now, my heart hurt like hell.
I lowered my head and drained the last drop of my drink.
I said, "No, it's fine.
"I'll just have my date pick me up."
Alex glanced away. "Whatever."
As the party wrapped up, I kept my head down, quietly texting on my phone.
Suddenly, a chorus of gasps and oohs erupted nearby.
Alex had just picked up a tipsy Jessica in his arms, carrying her like a princess.
His eyes were full of gentle affection he couldn't hide.
"I blocked so many drinks for her, but she only had one and still got tipsy.
"Just like back then."
Everyone watched them walk away, smirking knowingly, chattering about when those wedding invites would finally show up.
"They must be meant for each other, right? After all these years, they still end up together," someone said.
I listened to them, almost torturing myself, when my phone buzzed.
It was a message from Alex.
Alex: [I'm waiting for you at the corner two blocks up.]
Alex: [Didn't we say we'd go home together?]
He wanted me to walk two blocks in heels, just to keep things under wraps.
I held back the tight pain in my chest and slowly typed out a reply.
[No need. I've got someone picking me up.]
After a long while, Alex finally called me on video.
I forced myself to ask, my voice shaky, "Where's Jessica?"
Alex gave a gentle, doting smile.
He said, "She's out cold.
"I'll drop her off first, then we can head home."
Cut to Jessica sprawled out in the passenger seat, eyes closed.
She was still mumbling and squirming around, not settling down at all.
And the little cat sticker Alex had put there for me on the passenger side was all torn up, barely recognizable.
Only the sad little eyes of the cat were left behind, looking so pitiful.
Alex kept talking, "Just sneak into the car when no one's watching, okay? Don't piss me off."
I forced a smile.
"I already said, someone else is coming to get me. I won't intrude on your little love bubble," I said.
Alex snorted, "Claire, come on.
"After all these years, you haven't really made any friends except me. Stop fooling yourself."
It was like being stabbed by a thousand needles, so numb it almost hurt.
I couldn't believe he'd actually say that.
"Alex, just mind your own business," I snapped.
I quickly hung up, not wanting him to hear my voice crack.
Just then, another message popped up.
[Miss Summers, are you alright?]