She kissed my cheek before leaving.

I stood alone again, mentally running through decorations, food, shopping, and everything else I needed to organize while pretending my heart wasn’t breaking.

First, I had to invite Jordan.

I texted him.

“Ethan wants the whole family there.”

Not long afterward, my phone buzzed.

Jordan.

Even seeing his name made my stomach tighten.

His reply was short.

Cold.

I read it several times before the meaning fully settled in.

My chest tightened.