Chapter 1

At the class reunion, everyone started egging Randy Coolidge and Lisa Duffy, the school belle, to sing a love song together.

No one had a clue that the guy being pushed onto the stage was actually my boyfriend of six years. Our relationship had been a secret all along.

Every time we had a gathering, I'd always choose the seat farthest from him.

I'd quietly eat, quietly watch him bask in everyone's attention, and quietly go along with the act, pretending we were nothing but strangers.

But today, out of the blue, he suddenly turned to me and said, "Cut it out, my girlfriend's here."

The air froze for a moment, and everyone turned to look at me.

Then, someone scoffed from the corner.

"Her? No wonder he kept it a secret."

My nails dug deep into my palms as I clenched the strap of my backpack, trying to steady myself.

I was the only one who knew. He wasn't announcing us.

He was punishing me.

He was punishing me for blocking his way yesterday when he was about to pick up Lisa.

I demanded, "Is the reason you won't go public because of Lisa?"

*****

The noise in the room kept getting louder, everyone was hyping things up. "Damn, Randy, you actually have a girlfriend? You kept that hidden."

"Who is it? Who is it? Come on, spill!"

Randy raised his glass, his eyes sweeping lazily in my direction.

Just that one look.

Everyone turned to look at me.

I was sitting on the couch in the corner.

Hadn't prepped, hadn't psyched myself up, didn't even put on lipstick.

Randy just said, "Wear whatever. It's a normal hangout."

"Olivia?"

It was Stanley Wright, Randy's college roommate, who spoke up.

He'd been the loudest one stirring things up tonight.

He glanced at me, then at Randy.

"You two...?"

The disbelief in his tone stung more than any insult could.

I stayed silent.

I honestly had no idea what to say.

For six years, I'd never once admitted to anyone that I was Randy's girlfriend.

Because he wouldn't allow it.

And now, out of nowhere, he was suddenly making me wear that title.

But now, I realized I had no clue what to say next.

"No way..."

Another voice spoke up. It was Trisha Brook, sitting across from me.

She and Lisa were best friends back in college.

"Randy, are you serious?"

Randy didn't answer.

He leaned back in his chair, that playful smirk still tugging at his lips.

That smirk was nothing like the one he wore yesterday.

Yesterday afternoon, I was at the airport dropping off a client, while he was there to pick up Lisa, who'd just flown back.

In the crowded terminal, he and Lisa walked side by side.

Lisa said something, and he lowered his head to hear her, then smiled.

That smile, I'd only ever seen it when he was around Lisa.

It was gentle, a bit nervous, and overflowing with excitement he could barely hide.

I don't even remember how I ended up walking over there.

By the time I snapped out of it, I was already standing right in front of them.

Lisa was caught off guard for a moment, her gaze flickering over me, but she didn't say anything.

Randy's face went through a whole range of emotions.

First surprise, then irritation, and finally settling into a blank calm.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Just dropping off a client," I replied.

I felt a lump in my throat.

"Randy... Randy Coolidge, can we talk?" I managed, my voice shaky.

He answered, sounding like he barely knew me.

"It's not a good time now," he said.

I stayed right where I was.

I stood there, like I was nailed to the floor.

Lisa, ever the graceful one, smiled and said, "Why don't I wait in the car?"

"Not necessary," Randy replied.

Then he turned to me, lowering his voice.

"Let's talk about it later."

But I couldn't help myself.

I blurted out, "Randy, is it because of her that you won't make our relationship public?"

Randy's face instantly darkened.

Lisa's smile faded, too.

Lisa shot Randy a glance, then looked at me, her eyes saying, 'So it is true.' That flash of understanding made it clear she'd suspected all along.

Randy's tone went icy.

"Do you even know what you're saying?" he said.

I knew.

I knew I shouldn't have asked that question in front of everyone.

I knew it made me look so undignified.

I knew Lisa had just come back to the country, and this wasn't the moment to make a scene.

But it had been six years.

Some things had been stuck in my throat for so long that I thought I'd swallowed them down.

But the moment I saw them standing side by side, those words crawled right back up.

Randy's voice was cold and hard as he said, "You should head back first."

I looked into his eyes, hoping to find even a flicker of emotion.

Maybe some pain, guilt, or even the slightest bit of shame.

But there was nothing.

All I saw was annoyance.

I felt like a clueless kid, making a scene right when he needed everything to go smoothly.