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“No. But I’ll see you in a couple of weeks and you can tell me all about school.”

He chuckles. “I have a girlfriend. Sort of.”

“Sort of?”

“Her parents won’t let her date so she’s only my girlfriend at school. Or when we go on class trips.”

“What’s her name?”

“Elodie.”

“Well, I can’t wait to hear all about her when you come to visit.”

“I’ll text you a picture.”

“Great.”

We disconnect, and I slowly put the phone down.

I get up and walk across the room to the window, staring out at the city of Los Angeles. There’s something majestic about the expanse of land that makes up the city. It’s pretty at night.

So why do I feel like crying?

I lean against the wall and close my eyes.

I’m not usually naïve about men but I feel really stupid now.

How did I miss the signs that Cash wasn’t truly invested?

So many things happened, so quickly, it’s hard to pinpoint where everything fell apart. Or maybe it’s not.

Shandy.

This all boiled down to her.

He didn’t plan exactly what happened but no matter how it played out, he realized he still has feelings for her.

That’s what hurts the most.

She hurt him, and he still wants her.

How is that fair?

Nothing in life is fair.

And I’m luckier than a lot of people.

When my phone rings again, I see Reid’s name, but I don’t have it in me to talk to him. Not yet. Instead, I text him.

MAYA: Sorry, having a late dinner. I’ll text you tomorrow.

REID: No worries. Just heard from Nolan.

MAYA: We’ll chat tomorrow.

I put the phone down again and sink down on the bed. I honestly don’t know what to do with myself. If I allow myself to cry, I may never stop. Everything feels…hollow. Like nothing matters.

Maybe it doesn’t.