I pushed the food around on my plate. My stomach was eating itself. I had to get a few bites in. I forced food into my mouth and chewed it without tasting a thing. I had to eat, but I could no longer enjoy it, not with Carey and Ava’s relationship on full display before me. But I also couldn’t leave. I would have to walk right past them. They would see me, which was the last thing I wanted or needed right now.

I buried my face beneath my hair and tried to take in ...