Page 219 of Collide
As the fireworks fade, staff wheel out a towering cake, candles sparkling against the breeze.
“Happy birthday to you…”
Voices rise—off-key, joyful. Riley sings loudest, waving her arms like she’s conducting a full orchestra. Philippa’s voice is softer, steady, her eyes never leaving mine.
I laugh along. I play my part. But with every word, my heart pulls tighter.
The song ends. I blow out the candles. More cheers.
People turn away to mingle, to cut slices of cake.
Philippa slips in beside me, reading my face in a second. Her smile softens.
“Hey,” she says, brushing a loose strand of hair from my cheek. “You were amazing.”
“Thanks,” I whisper voice tight, trying desperately to hold it together.
But Philippa knows me too well.
She leans in, her voice low and careful. “Where’s Alex?”
The question lands like a punch.
My breath catches as the truth slams into me, undeniable now.
I shake my head, the words nowhere to be found. Like him.
Whereishe?
Philippa’s eyes stay on mine, searching. And when she reaches for my hand, I don’t pull away.
I stare up at the sky—fireworks still streaking color across the black—and feel a tear slip down my cheek before I even know it’s there.
The apartment is silent.
The kind of silence that feels too big, stretching into every corner, pressing hard against my chest.
It’s dark. The only light comes from the city outside, bleeding in through the windows—soft and flickering, like the world is continuing on without me.
I sit on the floor, dress pooled around me, heels abandoned by the door. My back rests against the green velvet sofa.
The only sound is the occasional soft clink of the champagne bottle tapping against my ring as I tip it back, drinking straight from the neck, because what’s the point of a glass anymore?
Quiet tears slip down my cheeks.
The night was perfect.
Almost.
Riley left with someone. I didn’t even catch his name. She kissed my cheek before slipping out, eyes dancing, murmuring something about not waiting up and enjoying my night with Alex.
And yet, here I am. Waiting.
I called as soon as the party ended.
Again in the town car.
Again, when I walked through the door, heels dangling from my hand, still half hoping I’d hear his voice behind me.
