Chapter 2

That buddy group chat was all Carter's friends from way back.

Five years together, and I never once got the chance to join it.

Every time I brought it up, saying I wanted to be part of his life, to understand his past.

He always brushed me off. Work was busy. His friends didn't know any better. He was worried they'd say the wrong thing.

I gave ground again and again. I even introduced my one and only best friend to him myself.

And after all that giving, I was the one who'd ended up on the outside of them.

The humiliation rose up in my chest, and I raised my hand and slapped her.

"I'm talking to my boyfriend. Nobody asked you!"

"And this is my home. Get out. Now."

A sharp crack.

Five finger marks bloomed on Savannah's pale face.

Carter lost it. He rushed over, shoved me aside, and pulled her behind him.

"Enough! Mila, what the hell is wrong with you?"

"All I did was start a video call so they could help me figure something out. The camera wasn't even on you. Nobody saw your face. Do you really have to make such a big deal out of this?"

He swung his hand up.

Savannah grabbed his wrist and soothed him softly.

"Okay, okay, it's not worth getting worked up over something so small."

"It's my fault, I didn't think it through. I shouldn't have had you turn the video on. Mila's always been the conservative type. I'll try a different way to teach her next time."

Tears slid down my cheeks and dropped silently into the carpet.

My smile was uglier than crying.

"You think there'll be a next time?"

"Carter, let's break up."

"You like to play, you like a thrill, so go play with her all you want. I can't give you the feeling you're after, but I can give you your freedom."

My attitude set him off. His eyes went red in an instant, and he roared at me.

"Are you insane? Hitting menopause early? Everything we did was for your own good!"

"I didn't take naked photos of you, I didn't film you, and the person teaching you was your own best friend. I honestly don't get what you have to throw a fit about."

"You've been best friends with Savannah all these years. You really should learn something from her. She never lets stuff like this bother her."

Savannah didn't let it bother her because she'd had more boyfriends than she could count on both hands.

She was the circle's notorious flirt.

Word was there wasn't a man she couldn't land.

When I first met Carter, I'd even gone to her for advice about the relationship.

Later, we fell hard for each other.

All my other friends warned me not to introduce Savannah to my boyfriend.

But I didn't listen.

I'd always believed ten years of friendship wouldn't shatter so easily over one man.

But today, reality had slapped me across the face.

Seeing me go quiet, Carter said nothing more.

He carefully cupped Savannah's face in both hands and blew on it gently.

"Does it hurt? I'll take you to get some ointment, then we'll go for a big seafood dinner."

Savannah melted into his arms, boneless.

The two of them left wrapped around each other. Neither one spared me a glance.

Maybe she sensed something was wrong with me.

Somehow the Samoyed shut in the second bedroom unlatched the door himself and came running out.

He circled me, licking and whining.

I looked down at Marshmallow.

He was the birthday present Carter had given me back when we first got together, because he knew I loved animals.

Back then he'd pulled me into his arms, laughing, and said,

"Since we can't get married and have kids yet, Marshmallow will be our child from now on. We'll watch him grow up together."

"And when we do have a real baby someday, Marshmallow will be all grown too, and he'll be your guardian, yours and the baby's. When I'm not home, he'll protect you both."

As true as that love had been, that was how deep the betrayal cut now.

A dull stab of pain ran through my lower belly. I didn't pay it any mind.

My tears dropped onto Marshmallow's fluffy head.

He lay down and let out a low, soft whimper.

I stroked his head, my voice barely there.

"Marshmallow, you don't have a daddy anymore."