Chapter 2
Jane shouted, "Eris! Watch your tone! In what world is Tristan not good enough for you? It is just a tiny little apartment! We gave you a chance.
"If you do not agree to this today, the wedding is off!"
I stood up. The legs of my chair scraped harshly against the floor.
Everyone in the restaurant looked over at us.
I looked at Olivia and Tristan. One was venomous, and the other was a coward.
Three years of my life had just become a massive joke.
I grabbed my purse. "You are absolutely right. The wedding is off."
I looked at Tristan. "We are done."
With that, I turned and walked away.
Tristan sat there stunned for a second before jumping up to call my name. "Eris!"
Olivia grabbed his arm and yanked him back. "Let her go! Let's see if she can find anyone better!
"She is missing out. She will come crawling back crying before you know it."
I did not look back. It was not until I stepped out into the chilly night air that I realized my face was freezing.
I reached up and felt the wetness on my cheeks.
I was crying.
It was not out of heartbreak. It was pure disgust.
I had wasted three years of my youth on absolute trash.
*****
I took a cab straight to my parents' house.
When they saw my red and swollen eyes, they panicked.
"Eris, sweetie, what happened? Did you and Tristan get into a fight?" my mom asked.
I could not even speak. I just hugged her and started sobbing harder.
Eventually, I managed to explain everything that happened at the restaurant.
My dad was so furious he threw the TV remote across the room. "The nerve of those people!
"They are not even family yet and they are already plotting to steal our home. If you actually married him, they would bleed us dry!"
My mom rubbed my back soothingly. "You did the right thing ending it. We do not need toxic people like that in our lives. Do not waste another tear on them."
My parents' unconditional support made me feel infinitely better.
Tristan blew up my phone that entire night.
I did not answer a single call. I blocked his number and deleted him off all my social media accounts.
The next morning, my mom noticed I was still looking down and sighed. "Eris, I actually have a guy in mind for you. Do you want to just meet him?"
I stared at her in disbelief. "Mom, I literally broke up with Tristan last night."
"I know," she said as she handed me a cup of hot coffee. "I am not trying to force you into anything.
"I just think the best way to move on is to realize there are much better people out there.
"This guy is a friend of Olivia's nephew. You trust Olivia's judgment, right?
"He is a commercial pilot. It is a great career, but he flies international routes so he is rarely home.
"Olivia says he is just looking for a grounded and reliable woman to build a solid life with."
My instinct was to say no. But seeing the hopeful look in my mom's eyes, I swallowed my refusal.
Maybe she was right. Getting out of the house and meeting someone new might be a good distraction.
"Okay. I'll meet him," I replied, feeling a bit resigned.
My mom lit up instantly. "I will call Olivia right now! We will set it up for tomorrow afternoon at that nice coffee shop downtown."
*****
The next day, I actually put some effort into my appearance.
It was not to impress anyone. I just wanted to look put together so I could remind myself that I was perfectly fine without Tristan.
I arrived at the cafe ten minutes early and grabbed a booth by the window.
Right on the dot, a tall man in a sharp black jacket walked in.
He had excellent posture and a commanding presence.
He scanned the room, locked eyes with me, and walked straight over.
"Eris Cross?" His voice was deep and rich.
I nodded.
"Hi. I'm Jace Vector," he said.
He pulled out the chair and sat down with crisp efficiency.
There was no awkward small talk. He flagged down a barista and ordered a cappuccino for me and a black Americano for himself.
"I apologize, but I am on a tight schedule. I have a flight out tonight. Do you mind if we skip to the point?" Jace said.
I actually appreciated the bluntness. "Go ahead."
He looked at me with an incredibly focused gaze. "Olivia probably gave you my basic bio. I am thirty two and a captain for a major airline.
"I make about 900 thousand dollars a year after taxes. I fly long haul international routes, which means I am home for maybe two months out of the year.
"I do not smoke or drink heavily."