Chapter 5: Another Promise He Forgot

That afternoon, I went to Lachlan’s startup in Manhattan.

In my bag were my office visitor pass, the keycard to the apartment we were supposed to share, and the client proposal he’d asked me to proofread.

The receptionist saw me and smiled, about to call him.

“No need. Please just give these to him for me.”

I turned toward the elevator, but as I passed a half-open conference room door, I heard Lachlan’s voice.

“I’ll go with you to get your nails done on Saturday.”

He was smiling as he said it. “I know you want to look your best for the wedding. I’ll go with you. I’ll explain it to Zinnia.”

Even though I’d already decided to leave, a reflexive stab of disappointment hit me.

He and I had made plans for that Saturday. We were finally going to do something we’d never managed in our entire relationship: watch the sunrise at Rockaway Beach.

He’d pushed it from winter to spring. We’d only just managed to set the date.

Now that was gone, too.

I didn’t stay to listen. I took the fire stairs down one floor, caught the elevator from there, and left.

Once I was out of Manhattan, I drove straight back to the old house on Staten Island.