Love Lost: No Chance of Reunion

I lay awake most of the night, my thoughts a jumbled mess.

I finally fell asleep around three and was rudely awakened by my alarm. I dragged myself out of bed, full of resentment.

By the time I got to the office, it was one minute to nine.

I punched in right on time, while everyone else was already settled at their desks.

As soon as I walked in, Laney Klein from finance pretended to be surprised and said, "Oh, look who decided to show up. I've been here early, unlike some. Must be nice to stroll in at the last minute."

Her snarky tone really pissed me off.

Laney and I had never gotten along. She'd been trying to trip me up since I started here.

She would delay processing my expense reports until the very last day allowed.

And my overtime pay was always wrong. Oddly, it seemed she only made mistakes with my time sheets, out of over 20 members on our team.

Already in a foul mood, I shot back, "Work starts at nine, not eight. If you're less efficient, maybe you need the extra time.

And cut back on the strong smells first thing in the morning. It's overwhelming."

I glared at her and headed to my desk.

Behind me, I heard Laney mutter, confused, "I didn't eat anything smelly..."

I thought to myself, "She's such an idiot. She didn't even catch my sarcasm."

Jayden came out of the break room, coffee in hand, using the travel mug I bought him not long ago.

I avoided eye contact, scared that seeing him might soften me and drop my plans to break up.

The morning went by in a blur. Just past eleven, I got a text from Jayden: [Let's have lunch in the cafeteria.]

He ended his text with a period, not asking but telling me to join him.

I hadn't decided how to break up with him yet. After a moment's thought, I replied: [OK.]