Love, or Let Me Go

had ever seen Cele

s office building, ironing the wrinkles from her dress and admiring herself in the tinted glass, trying to be perfect. Julian had invited her to a business dinner that night-just a

called the flutter in her chest-neither fear exactly, but hope. Hope that the encounter with Celeste would soothe the bunched-up knot of ten

y and kissed her on the cheek. "You look beautiful," he told her. His hand swept across he

ere sh

le

r that drew attention without apology. She walked across the room with a self-assurance that was

tant. Her hold was tight. Her smile-courteous. S

sed in the green dress and minimal makeup. "Great

led. "All g

re than good. Celeste is family. Without her, I would n

ne they had rehearsed. "We were simply two high-functioning stud

ned to Julian laugh-actually laugh-at one of Celeste's jokes. She saw him smile, his eyes crinkling at th

r mind, she was doing calculations. Adding up the seconds Julian looked at Celeste rather than her. Subtracting the way his hand moved from

jealousy.

s ins

didn't feel

ted, Amara stood alone by the window with Celeste. The city

now," Celeste said,

know," she said. But her voice b

But he's not good at expressing things-not in the traditional sen

ike something Celeste h

politely. "We

in. "Don't take it personally when he cancels on a da

id not

tched him move away every month, little by litt

f she'd had a fairer chance at Julian's lifestyle. As if she'd

ith them, arm around Amara's waist. She elbowed into

et the welcome t

itter crus

Julian reached out and wra

w was C

umn of headlights spatter on

incredible

Best business decision I ever m

st going up and down in smooth curves, phone dead on the bedside table. He'd grumbled something earlier about a late client

erienced something in her chest twist and curl, and reminded herself

wa

reality. A flash of intui

ulian's voice when he uttered Celeste's name. Feigned not to s

ending was slowly

She had waited. Hoped. Believed the fissures in their foundation could be repaired with time and patience. All those year

on the window in a gentle beat. Amar

on he never

eliable than Amara. More

y. Who'd trusted him when his own doubts had attempted to destroy him.

wasn't so

heart, as if she were tr

ove wasn'

rhaps it was time to stop p