*Olivia*

    As I got dressed for the day, I decided that I needed some space from Alexander to think everything through.

    I put on my favorite lc dress, pulled on my sheer ck tights, and my highest ck heels. As I did my make–up for the day, I gave myself a pep–talk, reminding myself that I didn’t need

    anyone.

    slipped out of my apartment and walked confidently out of the building. Since my car was still parked at Ava’s, I walked to a busy diner to have breakfast. The server sat me down in a small booth, and as I opened the menu, a feeling of peace washed over me. It was nice to just be by myself for a morning.

    I ordered a coffee and a big breakfast of pancakes, eggs, buttered toast, and sausage. As I waited for my breakfast, I looked out the window and watched people rush by on their way to work, to drop their children off at school, or dressed in exercise clothes on their way to morning yoga or ptes.

    I was nning on texting Alexander soon, saying that I had slept in toote to go to his apartment. My stomach lurched with guilt because I knew Mike would be upset that I missed his breakfast, but I didn’t regret taking this time alone. It was much needed.

    Just as I was adding a dash of sugar to my steaming hot coffee, I looked up.

    My heart dropped, and the blue packet of sugar fell from my hands, spilling onto the table.

    Ethan quickly maneuvered around the busy restaurant with a small, satisfied smile on his face and took a seat in front of me.

    Before my ex–husband could even say a word, I opened my mouth. “What the hell are you doing here?” I snapped.

    I was gritting my teeth and ring at him. How dare he ruin my alone time? But that was what he was best at. Ruining my peace and happiness.

    At that moment, the server set down my big breakfast. The delicious smell of buttery pancakes and crunchy toast made my stomach growl, but I’d lost my appetite.

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    “Oh, hello,” the server said to Ethan. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

    “Yes, I’ll have-”

    “He was just leaving,” I interrupted him, wanting to take control of the situation.

    The server looked between us, then turned to me. “Are you okay?” she asked.

    Her worry for me warmed my heart, but I wanted to take care of this myself to prove could.

    “Yes, thank you,” I said gratefully.

    “I’ll be just over there,” she said, her eyes only on me. “My name’s Marissa if you need anything.”

    She widened her eyes, implying that she would kick Ethan out if I asked her to.

    “Thank you so much,” I said.

    When Marissa left, Ethan rolled his eyes. “Girls have to stick together, I guess.”

    “What the hell are you doing here?” I repeated.

    that I

    Ethan cleared his throat and folded his hands iin /ifront of him. “i just wanted to exin to you that the girl you saw me withst night was Nora Cater. I’m helping take care of her. She’s intellectually disabled and iI /iwas just treating her to a night out on the town to get her out of the house. I’m friends with her parents, Stanley and Hana.”

    I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. “Oh, please. You were using that poor girl in a sad attempt to make me jealous. You make me sick.”

    Ethan sat forward in his seat. “No, honest. I only came to the building because Nora wanted to see Alexander. He is her favorite person.”

    “Only because you showed her a picture of him!” I said and pointed an using finger at him.

    “No, I swear I didn’t.” Ethan shook his head vehemently. “Did Alexander leave you abruptlyst night?”

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    -288 (Vouchers