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I thrust the tablet towards him, pausing on an image of him with one of the women. “Care to explain this?”
He glanced at the screen, then shrugged nonchalantly. “Emily, you’re blowing this out of proportion. They’re just friends.”
“Friends?” I countered sharply. “Different women, each time I’m gone? Really, Jake?”
He sighed, ruffling his hair. “Look, Em, you’re being paranoid. These women mean nothing.”
“Nothing?” I raised my voice, my anger breaking through. “How can you say that?”
Jake’s demeanor hardened. “I bring a lot to this relationship. Are you really willing to throw this all away over some insecurity?”
That was the last straw. His dismissal and arrogance clarified everything for me. “It’s not insecurity when I have proof, Jake. I can’t marry someone who diminishes me like this.”
Jake’s expression tightened, his shock evident. “You’re serious? Over this nonsense?”
“Yes,” I stated resolutely. “I’m done. We’re done.”
He stared at me, then without another word, grabbed his coat and left. The door slammed shut behind him, and just like that, it was over.
After a moment alone to gather my thoughts, I called the pizza shop. Tom answered.
“Tom, it’s Emily. I… I need to thank you. You were right about Jake.”
After a pause, Tom replied, “I’m really sorry, Emily. I thought you should know.”
“I appreciate it,” I said, my voice laden with gratitude. “Could we maybe have coffee sometime? To talk?”
“I’d like that,” Tom responded, his voice warm and reassuring.
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