that trendy new restaurant, the one with a six-month waitlist that everyone was dying to get into. I

nds, when his phone rang. It was Ashley Cooper. I cou

more understanding than

me the time. He dropped his phone on the tab

the staff started cleaning up around me, until the mana

who wasn't coming back. Ethan, I was done. I was so completely, utterly fed u

reshing the reservation page. But now, every bite tasted like nothing. It was Valentine's Day, and the room was filled with couples, their faces glowing with happiness. They were all ages, al

ial media feed and her post popped u

t thankfully, there's always

with that smile he never gave me. The other was new, clearly taken today. They looked perfect togeth

ought, a bitter feeli

I thought my patience would mean something. I

Of course. Getting a ride downtown on Valentine's Day was impossible. At least the app was honest. It told you exactly how long you'd have to w

estaurant was empty, and he still wasn't back.

ng well. I need to

o to bed ea

just as I was a

e. Text me when

hy? Because I was "more understanding" than her. He was always saying that. He loved how "understanding"

I hated hearing him say those words. "You're more obedient than Ashley, you're more understanding than Ashley, you're better than her." I never wanted to be

dn't even hurt anymore. Our biggest fights, his and mine, had always been about her. But it had been quiet for months. Somewhere along the line, I had

t letting g

my message thread with him. My f

to be understa

, we'r

t out a short, humorless laugh. Of course not. Ashley wa