Chapter 3Traded For His Childhood Sweetheart

I didn’t answer. I just watched Declan lean into her touch, like a plant turning toward the sun.

"Nora," Lacey chirped. "Do you have honey at your place? I can text you the recipe. You should make him some."

She was the childhood sweetheart. The one who got away. How could I compete with that mythology?

I couldn't. It was better to just fold.

"Why don't you come back to our place and make it for him?" I said.

Declan’s head snapped up. He looked shocked, then panicked.

We hailed a cab. There was only one. Declan opened the back door for Lacey, ushering her in. He started to hold it for me, but I stepped back.

"No thanks," I said. "I wouldn't want to intrude on a reunion ten years in the making."

Declan ducked his head, refusing to meet my eyes.

Inside the cab, I watched them. Declan rested his head on her shoulder. When he felt sick, he sat up and breathed through the window.

I laughed out loud. "What, you aren't going to puke on her?"

When I used to pick him up, he’d vomit all over the upholstery. I was the one who had to apologize to the driver and pay the cleaning fee.

He respected her too much to ruin her dress.

He caught my eye in the rearview mirror and looked away after two seconds. But he stayed upright.

When we got to the apartment, the honey water worked its magic.

"Declan," Lacey said, looking around with wide eyes. "I just got back and... I haven't found a place yet. Can I crash here?"

Declan agreed before she finished the sentence. He grabbed her luggage and carried it straight into the master bedroom.

"Declan," I asked, leaning against the doorframe. "Are you sleeping in there with her tonight?"

He stopped. His voice was ice cold. "That’s none of your business."

I chuckled. Why did I even ask?

I went to the guest room. To my surprise, Declan followed me in a few minutes later.

"Nora, look. It’s not what you think."

I almost applauded the audacity.

"I know," I said. "I get it."

"But, Declan... we're breaking up."

He frowned, opening his mouth to argue, but Lacey burst into the room, tears streaming down her face.

"Declan! I’m scared! I feel like someone is watching me through the window!"

We lived on the 28th floor. Unless Spiderman was a peeping tom, nobody was watching her.

But Declan didn't hesitate. He rushed to her, wrapping his arms around her trembling shoulders. "It's okay. Don't be scared. I’ll stay with you."

I watched him make a pallet on the floor of the master bedroom. Fine by me. Let them have the bed I paid for.

Back in the guest room, I knocked over a lamp in the dark. It shattered, slicing a deep gash into my palm.

Blood welled up immediately. I had to go to the ER.

Declan saw me in the hallway, holding a towel to my hand. He frowned. "I'll drive you."

Old Nora would have been grateful. New Nora just shook her head.

"No."

His face darkened. He walked me to the door, his hand on the knob.

"Nora," he said, his voice low. "Don't do unnecessary things to get attention."

There it was. When you don't love someone, even their pain is an inconvenience.

The last flickering ember of my love for him finally went out.