You wrinkled your nose as the shot of vodka trickled down your throat, burning all the way down. Forcing a smile onto your face, you turned to Sarah and gestured that you two should do another shot. You’d do as many as it took to make you forget that Rafe had broken up with you. To forget that he’d already moved on, and that he was here somewhere in the crowded nightclub, with her.

“Here” you slid your phone across the bar to Sarah. “Hold onto this for me”

“Your phone? Why?” Sarah furrowed her brow at you.

“Just keep it. Don’t let me text him. Or call him. Hell, do me a favour and lose it” you knew you should’ve deleted his number , but you hadn’t been able to bring yourself to.

Sarah gave you an understanding smile and pocketed your phone. “For what it’s worth, my brother was a massive idiot for ending things with you. You deserve better”

You gave her a small smile that didn’t quite meet your eyes. You wish that you believed her. But the truth was if Rafe said the word, you’d fall right back into things with him. You didn’t want better, just him.

“Don’t turn around” Sarah instructed and you knew that Rafe was nearby. You’d known before she spoke, your body just always seemed to hum whenever he was nearby. Your heart beat faster than the way he’d shut you down the night of the breakup.

Rafe leaned against the bar waving money at the bartender. Sofia was of course by his side, her arm wrapped around his waist. You wondered as you looked at him, if he pictured you every time he held her.

As the bartender slid his drinks across the bar, Rafe looked up, his eyes landing on you. This was it. The first time you’d been face to face since the breakup. You didn’t know whether you should smile at him, or look away before the tears prickling your eyes fell.

don’t smile because it happened, baby, cry because it’s over

His expression was unreadable. He always had had an excellent poker face, making it impossible for you to know what he was thinking. And in that moment, you wanted him to miss you.