58

Elaine

I wiped my reddened eyes as I came down the cab and stood, looking up at the huge Spatsburger calligraphy, and the sea of moving bodies through the crystal-clear glass wall. After our coffee date, I'd gone home to regain my bearings, but ended up crying in the shower and blaming myself for everything all over again. I didn't want to get out of the house any more today, but I'd already promised Jess. I just hoped she didn't want to scold me, but given that she'd instructed me not to tell Max anything about this, I figured she really wanted details on what was going on.

Pushing through the glass double doors, and moving in between the crowded, busy tables, I exhaled in relief when I spotted Jess waving wildly at me from her seat at the farthest end, close to the wall with Ryan. My jaw slacked as I gaped from her to Ryan. I didn't expect to see him here, because I thought Jess just wanted a woman-to-woman conversation.

With my heart clanging loudly against my chest, I saunter o