One evening, Debbie and Felix were at a lively Thai
night market. Lanterns glowed overhead, the smell of grilled skewers wafting through the air. Debbie was chatting with a street vendor when her phone buzzed again. Felix peeked over her shoulder, his sharp intake of breath betraying his irritation. "Pasco again?"
Debbie sighed, slipping her phone into her bag. "He just wants to talk, Felix. I told him I'm not interested in anything more."
"That's not the point," Felix snapped, his usual calm demeanor cracking. "Why does he think he still has a place in your life?"
"Maybe because he's trying to make amends," Debbie replied, trying to stay patient.
Felix's jaw tightened. "Amends or not, he had his
chance, Debbie. Why are you even giving him the time of day?"
"Because I'm trying to move on, Felix!" Debbie shot
back, her voice rising. "And maybe part of moving on is figuring out where I stand with him now."
Felix stared at her, his dark eyes clouded with jealousy and something else—fear. "What about where you stand with me?" he asked quietly.
The question hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.