Page 143 of Don't Leave Me

“Go sit, I’ll get us a tea,” Jack said after we paid at the front desk, pointing to a chair that was by the window and where a grey cat was lounging on a cat bed.

I smiled and nodded, then took my coat off and laid it on the back of the chair, petting the sweet, friendly cat. From my peripheral vision, I could see someone outside stop and look in. I figured it was someone stopping to look at the cute cats, but I looked over and realized that it was Billie. She smiled faintly at me and waved. I waved back, suddenly nervous.How did I forget that Billie worked around here?She hesitated for a moment, then opened the door and came in, smiling at me wider.

“Hi, Han,” she said sweetly, sounding nervous herself.

“Hi, Billie,” I smiled, another ache in my heart.

If anyone would notice that something was wrong and off about me and Jack, it would be Billie. She had known me my whole adult life and saw me in the best of times and the worst of times. Emily was my cousin, my family, but she and I were only together in 3-day increments over the last 6 years or so.

Jack suddenly appeared next to us, giving us a sweet smile.

“Hi Billie,” he looked to her, his eyes widened.

Billie looked between me and Jack. She raised an eyebrow and gave us a confused smile.

“Is this back on again?”

I nodded quickly. “Yeah. You were right all along, Billie. Mine and Michael’s relationship went way too fast,” I explained, surprised at myself for being so quick on my feet.

She stared at me for a moment, her face sad. “Well, I’m sorry about that,” she sighed, then turned to Jack. “Looks like you two found your way to each other again, though.”

I smiled. “How are you doing?” I asked before Jack could dismiss her.

She sighed a little. “I’m good. Super fucking busy. But good,” she shrugged nonchalantly. “Maybe we can catch up soon. Dinner this week or something?”

I nodded excitedly. “I’d love that,” I answered, then turned to Jack.

He plastered a quick smile on his face. “Fantastic,” he said to me.

Billie chimed in again. “Well, I should head back to work. I’ll text you later, Han?” she asked, her warm smile filling me with hope.

“Yeah,” I nodded, then we gave each other a quick hug.

“Bye Jack,” she hugged him and then left.

I waited a few moments to speak. I started to pet the grey cat again as I looked up at Jack. “Was that okay?”

“Yes, of course, love. Another test. Another incentive was just added.”

* * *

I played house with Jack for the next few days. I did everything he asked and more. We fucked passionately, I watched him paint or do pull-ups as I read, we watched old horror movies and played in the snow outside of his loft when it fell. I was a perfect, compliant girlfriend to him. So when he told me that Billie texted me and asked to meet for dinner the next night, I prayed to every God there was that he would let me go alone.

“I’ll say we can meet her at 7,” he said, responding before I even could.

There it was, all hope vanished again.

We met Billie at a local restaurant literally one block from the loft. Jack wasn’t taking me very far lately, but I was grateful to be out of the loft. Jack and I arrived first and got a table by the window, the atmosphere relaxed and cozy. Billie walked in a moment later and cheerily waved at us.

“Hey guys,” she greeted as we stood up to give her a hug.

As she sat down, I realized she was growing her bangs out. She looked so healthy and happy and I missed her terribly. We got to making small talk and then she casually mentioned that her and John broke up.

“What happened?” I questioned, truly saddened by the news.

“He got a job offer in California. I told him I didn’t want to leave New York, and that if he took the job, we would probably break up. He took way too long to think about,” she rolled her eyes. “So, I told him to just take the job.”

“I’m so sorry,” I frowned.

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