Page 58 of Little Gray Dress

“Like, no more Jack and Emi until I’ve made partner and figured some things out. Clearly this is stressing you out, and I can’t worry about what you’re up to next when I already have so much on my plate.”

“You’re breaking up with me?” I squeal, flipping the bra in his direction.

“I think it’s for the best right now.” He picks the bra up off the floor and hands it back to me.

“You are such an ass! There is someone else isn’t there?” I yell, but he’s already directing me towards the front door.

“Emi, just stop.”

“I can’t believe you would do this!”

“I could say the same.” The front door is open and he’s willing me out of the door. “I’ll call you, I promise. I just need some time. That’s all.”

“Fuck you! Don’t call me, EVER!” I grab the doorknob and slam the door shut behind me, forcing myself not to allow the tears to take over until I’m safely down in front of the building. Lily at my side.

“Ems, I’m so sorry. I didn’t think he was in town, had I know I’d have—”

“He dumped me! He said he couldn’t worry about what I might be up to next while he’s got so much on his plate at work.”

“He what?!” Lily is as mad as I am.

“Yeah.” A single tear rolls down my cheek before I wipe it away. “I’m going home”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“No.” Before she can object I’m in my car, doors locked waving, hoping she’ll get the BFF ESP that I’ll be fine, eventually.

“Emi, I know you’re home, your mom let me in, please open the door.” Jack’s voice wakes me. I glance around and realize I’m still in the clothes I was wearing yesterday, food cartons are lying across my bed, and the bottle of wine on my nightstand is empty. “Ems.” I crack the door open for him and disappear into my bathroom. “Whoa… What happened in here?”

“I ate our dinner last night,” I say, reluctantly walking back into my room, “after you broke up with me.”

“All of it?” He lifts the half-eaten cake from the box, his eyes wide with surprise.

“Almost.”

“Ems, listen…” He sighs and walks towards me but I back away from him. “I didn’t sleep at all last night.”

“Good,” I spit at him, with as much hate as I can muster at nine in the morning without coffee.

“You breaking into my apartment wasn’t exactly the right thing to do, but I can kind of see why you did it.”

“You can?”

“Yes. You’re right, I’ve been putting you at the bottom of my list and that’s not fair. I’m sorry for that. I do need you to understand, though, that this is a critical time in my career and I need you to be patient with me.”

“Well… You dumped me, so I guess you don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

His deep sigh, frown, and hand through his hair make my heart pitter-patter in my chest hoping he’s having second thoughts. “I don’t want to break up with you, Emi. You just frustrated me.”

“You frustrate me.” I fight back and watch him laugh under his breath.

“I’m sorry for breaking up with you. I hope you’ll forgive me and maybe take me back?” He disappears out of my bedroom door and into the hallway before reappearing with a giant bouquet of yellow roses. “The lady at the florist said that yellow roses signify innocence and apologies. I know I’m guilty of not putting you first but I hope you’ll overlook it and give me another chance.” He hands the roses to me.

“How am I supposed to say no to this?” I ask him quietly.

“You’re not.”

“You promise there is no one else?”

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