I looked up at him again. Still sleeping.
I let my fingers brush the edge of the blanket draped over his shoulder. Something in me ached at the idea that this could be it—this could be the final quiet moment between us.
“If this is really how we end,” I whispered, “just know I never stopped loving you. I may never stop loving you. Even when I didn’t know how to love you right.”
I stood slowly, afraid to disturb even the air around him.
And before I left, I leaned down and pressed my lips to his forehead.
Then I turned away, afraid that if I stayed any longer, I’d wake him up and beg him not to let me go.
And I wasn’t sure I deserved that anymore.
Godspeed.
Final Day.
I didn’t sleep.
Again.
After I looked in on Carmen, who was still asleep, I was at the office by seven, sitting at my desk with a coffee I hadn’t touched and a spreadsheet open I hadn’t looked at. Everything felt loud and too quiet at the same time.
Carter showed up around nine and tossed his bag on the chair across from me.
“H.R. called. Congratulations, Vince officially resigned. I have a list of potential applicants for his—” he stopped himself when he took in my appearance. “You look like shit.”
“Good morning to you too.”
He didn’t let up. “What happened?”
I didn’t answer. I just kept staring at the numbers on my screen, like they meant something.
“Is this about Carmen?”
My jaw tightened.
“You two good?” he pushed, and I stayed quiet.
Carter sat down slowly. “Please tell me you two didn’t break up.”
“We did.”
His chair creaked when he leaned forward. “What?”
“We broke up.” I finally looked up. “I told her I think we should end things, and she leaves today. I’ll pick her up soon to drop her off at the airport.”
His eyebrows shot up. “And you’re gonna let her leave?!”
I didn’t respond. I just leaned back in my chair and rubbed my face.
“You love her,” he said, like I needed reminding.
“I do.”
“So why would you let her go?”
“What am I supposed to do?” I said, clearly exhausted. “I proposed and she returned my ring. It’s for the best that she goes back to New York.”
