Page 75 of One-Star Romance

“Come on,” he said, his voice rough with frustration. “You can’t blame me for everything here. I messed up, but at the end of the day, you’re the one who wrote the book.”

“You’re right. I did something cruel, and I’ve finally gotten what I deserve,” she said. “Congratulations. You’ve won, once and for all. I hope that this victory can keep you company, because I’d rather not.”

He stepped back, his face closing off, but she couldn’t let herself feel guilty about this too. There was simply no more room inside her.

Instead, she turned around. “Tyler? It’s time to go.” Tyler rose from his seat with a chastened nod. She was supposed to be a grown woman, and all she wanted to do was cry like a little girl. Natalie held her head high and, not letting herself look at Rob, she walked out the door.

SELECTED TEXT MESSAGES BETWEEN NATALIE AND GABBY, DECEMBER 2019 TO DECEMBER 2020

MARCH 15, 2020

7:32 PM

From: Natalie Shapiro

To: Gabby Alvarez

Hey you. I know it’s been a long time, but everything is absolutely topsy-turvy so I wanted to check in and make sure you all were safe and doing okay.

[Message unsent/deleted]

APRIL 19, 2020

1:15 PM

From: Natalie Shapiro

To: Gabby Alvarez

I just made the decision to stop wiping down my groceries. Living dangerously, I know. You’re still disinfecting yours thoroughly, aren’t you? I bet you’re going stir-crazy, being cooped up with a toddler, but thank God you got that backyard you wanted. And I bet you and Angus are making this all seem like a grand adventure for Christina, and I bet—

[Message unsent/deleted]

MAY 12, 2020

11:49 PM

From: Natalie Shapiro

To: Gabby Alvarez

I adopted a cat back in February and named her Dolly (after Dolly Parton, obviously) and it’s proving to be one of the best decisions I made. I would be going nuts without her. She’s cute and scruffy, and regarded me suspiciously for about a week, but now she’ll climb up my body and sit on my shoulder like a pirate’s parrot, purring into my ear so loud and close that it can’t be good for my hearing. You would be obsessed with her, and I wish I could introduce you. Then again, she’d probably fall in love with you and want to live at your home instead, so maybe it’s good we’re not speaking? I don’t know, I try to find the upsides of this situation wherever I can.

[Message unsent/deleted]

Part Six

DECEMBER 2020

One Year Later

FROM: [email protected]

TO: [email protected]

SUBJECT: Some News

Hello,

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