He Ditched Me 52 Times

After I handed in my resignation to Mr. Specter, I went back to my desk to wrap things up.

Judy—who was taking over for me—shot me a look like she wasn't ready to let go.

"Reiny, seriously? You're bailing? Now I'm stuck watching those two drool over each other all day!"

She nodded toward Owen and Vanessa.

Owen looked like he was giving Vanessa a mild lecture, but whatever tension there was vanished when he pulled out a luxury bracelet like it was a freaking magic trick. Vanessa lit up and slid it on like it was her birthday.

Then she saw me.

And panicked.

"Ms. Reinsdorf! I swear, there's nothing going on with me and Owen! It's just a bracelet!"

All eyes swung to us.

Five years with Owen, and he never bought me anything remotely nice. And just like him, everyone here thought I was some clueless girl from nowhere who couldn't tell real luxury from knockoff.

Their pity hit like a slap.

Even Judy was seething. "You're still dating him and they're making a fool outta you!"

I gave her hand a quick squeeze and shook my head. Chill.

Then I looked at Vanessa.

"It's a gorgeous bracelet. Suits you."

She blinked, clearly expecting fireworks. "Ms. Reinsdorf, seriously, it's just a regular bracelet. Please don't be upset."

Upset? Not even close. I had stuff like that lying around back in Caverton.

Owen stood up, all frowny. "Reiny, stop being unreasonable."

I sighed and shook my head. "I'm not mad. Y'all really need to stop making stuff up about me."

I kept it chill, but Owen looked thrown, then rolled his eyes. "You better not be."

He sat back down and tugged Vanessa with him.

Judy leaned close. "You're just gonna let that slide?"

I shrugged, flipping through some files. "Yeah. As far as I'm concerned, we're done."

After fifty-two failed wedding attempts, I was beyond over it.

***

After work, Owen actually came over to help me pack.

"Hey, I booked Lunaire for 8. Let's head out."

Then he noticed my bare wrist and froze. "Where's the bracelet I gave you?"

"I didn't wanna risk breaking it, so I left it at home."

He eased up, smiled a little. "You used to wear it every day. Why stop now?"

I hadn't even thought of a lie yet when Vanessa came bouncing over.

"Owen, I'm all packed!"

He turned to her instantly, nodding like she was the only person in the room. "Wait in the car."

She made a beeline for the front passenger seat.

In five years, I'd never sat there. He always said that spot was for his future wife—told me to wait 'til we were married.

Vanessa shot me a smug little look. I just dipped my head, silent.

Not like it hurt anymore.

At Lunaire, they sat cozied up on the same side, ordering without even glancing at me.

Didn't bother me. I just leaned on my hand and stared out the window.

After tomorrow, none of this would matter.

When the food showed up, Owen peeled a small plate of shrimp and slid it toward me. "Shrimp's solid here."

I looked up and caught his soft smile.

Didn't expect him to remember me in a moment like that.

Then Vanessa jumped in. "I picked this place! Last time, he ate three whole plates!"

Owen turned red. "Why would you say that in front of my fiancée..."

She giggled and looked at me like she suddenly remembered I existed. "Oops, sorry, Ms. Reinsdorf. Didn't mean to ruin his image."

They laughed together. Right in front of me.

I stared at the shrimp. Suddenly, it tasted like nothing.

I forced one down, then pushed the plate away.

"Not my thing. You guys can finish it."

That shut them up for a second. Owen asked, careful, "Are you upset?"

I shook my head. "Nah. Just too fishy. Not used to it."

Like the two of you—reeking.

After dinner, Owen walked Vanessa home, drunk and clinging to him.

I was the one who closed the door behind them.

Then I called a cab to the airport.

Meanwhile, Owen was still blowing up our chat about the next wedding. Probably felt guilty or whatever.

Owen: [Don't worry. This time it'll happen. Nothing's going to get in our way!]

Me: [Okay.]

But I already knew. It'd crash like every other time.

Right before I boarded, another message popped up:

Owen: [Vanessa's stomach hurts from drinking. I'm not coming home tonight. Take care of yourself.]

I actually laughed. Cold and quiet.

Saw it coming a mile away.

Me: [No problem. Stay at her place. I've moved out. From now on, we're done. Owen, goodbye forever.]

I blocked him right after. Deleted the whole thread.

On the plane, I watched Ainsley glow in the distance.

Back there, Owen was probably still staring at his screen, stunned.