SADE

I sat in my office that day finally thinking about how the partnership between Kross and I was over, the last signatures inked, the previous documents signed, and for a moment I just sat back in my chair, staring at the paperwork like if I blinked long enough, it might all disappear, like the months of tension, negotiations, late nights, and stolen glances never happened, but of course, it didn’t, it was all still there, thick in my chest, heavy and impossible.

The first day of the three-day arrangement finally came with coffee and cake, his choice, carefully arranged on the table like he was trying to soften the...