"Aren't you going to ask who I'll be with?"

Stacey couldn't accept Murray's answer. She grabbed her wine glass, took a large gulp, and then asked the question she most desperately needed an answer to: "Who is the person you like?"

Murray paused for a moment, then said indifferently, "She prefers to keep it private for now. When she's ready, I'll let you know."

Stacey's heart had never felt as sour as it did then. Murray was that kind of person; when he chose to care for someone, he could offer boundless tolerance and affection. He had been like that with her once.

Now, all that love belonged to another woman, and Stacey felt a jealousy she had never known. She stared at Murray, convinced he had turned to someone else because of her hesitation. She couldn't believe he could just let go of so many years of feelings. She resolved to win back Murray's heart.

Unaware of Stacey's thoughts, Murray believed he had clarified his feelings, and there wou