Chapter 3: Breakfast, Guilt, and Questions

Early the next morning, Jason came over with big grocery bags. The handles were digging into his arms, but he wore that goofy smile I loved.

“How are you? Feeling better?”

After I got up, Jason asked with concern. He always had this gentle tone, like he was on a mission to make me feel better, no matter what.

“Mm, it’s nothing, I was just a bit tired yesterday.”

“It’s getting late, go wash up. I’ll make breakfast.”

I nodded. My hair was a mess and my eyes were puffy, but Jason didn’t seem to notice or care.

When I came out, Jason was already busy in the kitchen. He moved around like he owned the place, humming a tune from some oldies playlist as he flipped pancakes. The buttery smell of pancakes mingled with the sharp tang of coffee, grounding me even as my nerves threatened to spiral. The sound and smell of sizzling bacon drifted through the apartment, making my stomach rumble.

Jason and I work at the same company; we’re an office romance.

After dating for over a year, Jason spoils me endlessly. Sometimes it feels like he’s playing boyfriend on TV, always remembering the tiny details—my favorite cereal, the way I like my coffee (extra cream, two sugars, no judgment).

Whenever we have a day off, he comes over to cook for me. He’s learned to make my grandma’s cheesy grits, and every Saturday, he tries to top his own recipe.

With him around, I barely have to lift a finger.

He even takes care of all the chores—laundry, cleaning, you name it. He even folds the towels the way my mom does at home in Cincinnati, neat and square.

On every holiday, he takes me out on dates and carefully prepares gifts. For Valentine’s Day, he once surprised me with tickets to a jazz night downtown, complete with a handwritten card tucked inside a heart-shaped box.

If we ever argue, he always admits fault first and never lets me shed a tear. It’s like he has a sixth sense for when I’m about to break, swooping in with hugs and apologies.

I’m slow to warm up, hard to open up.

So at first, I dated Jason with a “let’s see how it goes” attitude. My walls were high, but Jason just kept showing up, kind and patient.

After a year, I’d observed Jason enough. I started to trust him—let him in, bit by bit.

So last night, I decided to take our relationship a step further. I’d never done something so bold for anyone before. The memory of my plan—my epic, epic fail—made me wince.

I just didn’t expect to mess up and cause such a scene.

After Jason finished making eggs, pancakes, and bacon, he called me to eat. The table was set with his usual care—a paper napkin folded into a triangle, my favorite mug by the plate.

“All your favorites. Try them.”

Jason served me coffee, watching me expectantly. The steam curled up and fogged my glasses, but I could see his hopeful grin through the haze.

“Mm.”

I nodded, feeling a warmth inside. The comfort of home, of routine, wrapped around me, even as guilt gnawed at my insides.

Although what happened yesterday was just an accident, I still felt a little guilty toward Jason. I forced myself to smile, but I wasn’t sure if he could see the cracks.

Halfway through the meal, I couldn’t help but ask, “How’s your roommate, Eric?”

“Eric?”

Jason paused for a moment. “Pretty good. Why?”

“It’s just… every time I come find you, he always seems cold. I’m just curious—how do you guys get along?”

“He’s a bit slow to warm up, and yeah, kind of aloof. But he’s a good guy.”

“Mm.”

“Is he single? Does he have a girlfriend?”

“I’ve never seen a woman visit him. He always keeps to himself, probably single. But a lot of people at the office are after him.”

Eric works at the same company as Jason and me, but in a different department.

He’s really handsome, so he’s pretty popular.

I’d heard about it too. People talk. There’s always someone at the office, giggling or whispering when Eric walks by.

“Huh? Why are you suddenly so interested in him?”

Jason took a bite and glanced at me. “Are you having a change of heart?”

He was joking, but I quickly denied it, “No way! How could that be?”

Jason laughed, “I’m teasing you. I know, my girl only has eyes for me.”

“As long as you know.” I flashed him a smirk, rolling my eyes in mock annoyance. He grinned and bumped my knee under the table, a silent promise that he trusted me.

I needed to hear Jason say something normal, something steady, to remind myself the world hadn’t completely flipped.