A couple days later, Katie was busy trying to make up her missed date night with Jack. She desperately wanted to convince him that everything was good between them--and she wanted to convince herself, too.

So far, so good. She had lit every candle in her apartment, made her famous spaghetti and meatballs (famous because it was the only thing she knew how to make), and wore a new, revealing-just-enough dress she found online. Jack seemed to appreciate her effort, and they were now relaxing on the couch, drinking--beer for Jack, mango hard seltzer for Katie--and laughing. Things almost seemed back to normal, as Jack rubbed her feet.

“You know I think you’ve been lying all along,” Jack said casually.

“What?” the hairs on the back of Katie’s neck stood up. Did Jack know something?

“I think you can cook, and you just like that I do it for you,” he replied, playfully, tickling the bottom of Katie’s foot.

“That’s it, you’ve figured out my master plan,” Katie said, with a touch of relief. “My real name is Julia Child, and I faked my death--I’ve been hiding out in the suburbs of Chicago seducing young, impressionable lawyers.”

“Tell me more about your seduction plan,” Jack said, smiling, pulling Katie towards him, so she was almost on his lap.

“It starts with me really pissing off my boyfriend because I’m so busy at work,” Katie said, playing along. 

“That seems like not a great plan,” Jack said, taking a sip of his beer.

“Ah yes, but the beauty is I win him over in the end with my charm. And with the way I handle those...balls.” Katie set her seltzer down and kissed Jack.

“Mmm. Now I see. You’re very good at this undercover life, Mrs. Child,” Jack said as he kissed her back. 

“I really am sorry,” said Katie, pulling back. She knew that if she didn’t stop, she and Jack would be headed to the bedroom soon, and she had told Grace--and herself--that tonight she would finally come clean about everything. She owed Jack the whole truth.

“I know, babe,” Jack said. “I just get jealous when you choose work over our relationship. And,” he paused, choosing his words carefully, “you’ve been spending a lot of time alone with Tyler lately.”

His observation stung her, but it was, of course, true. “Let me explain,” she started to say, but he cut her off.

“Wait, let me just say this: I love you, Katie. I want to be with you. I’ve always been attracted to your ambition, but I’m worried that your attention is...elsewhere these days. Tyler and I had a great hang--I like him a lot, and I understand why you guys click at work, but you know he’s really sensitive about people using him for his family, right?”

Katie paused, trying to take in what she thought she heard. “I’m sorry, are you saying--you think I’m ‘using’ Tyler to get ahead?” Katie couldn’t believe how wrong Jack’s accusation was, for so many reasons.

“I don’t know what you’re doing, but I know that you’ve...changed...lately.” Jack said, matter-of-fact.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Katie said, starting to get angry. “I thought you knew me better than anyone, and to think...that,” she was trying not to raise her voice, “maybe you don’t know me at all.”

“So explain it to me,” Jack said, “because we were really good, until your new intern started. So what’s up?”

“He’s not just my intern,” Katie shot back. This was not how she imagined the evening going, but she couldn’t turn back now. “He’s…”

“He’s what?” Jack said, leaning in.

“He’s my ex-fiancé,” Katie said, letting the information sink in. Jack just looked at her, in disbelief. He slowly lowered his beer bottle to the table.

“So you’ve both been lying to me,” he said, the quiet fury starting to build in his eyes.

“I never lied, I just... didn’t know how to tell you. And technically, Tyler doesn’t know. Or remember, I guess,” Katie started to stammer. She thought she’d be able to hold it together, but everything seemed to be falling apart.

“What are you even talking about?” Jack said, shaking his head. She could see how hurt he was. This was exactly what she was trying to avoid.

“Did he tell you about his accident?” Katie asked, tears starting to form.

“No, but I vaguely remember something about a car crash in the news a few years ago,” Jack said. “What does that have to do--”

“It was me,” Katie said, voice shaking. “I was driving. Tyler was in the car, and I---I don’t know what happened. We crashed, and it affected his memory. He doesn’t remember me, or that night, or...anything about us,” Katie said, trying to offer the story in a way that made sense.

“I didn’t tell you,” she continued, “because...because I didn’t know how. I didn’t want you to think there was still anything between us. I love you--” 

“But you haven’t told Tyler, either?” Jack asked, warily.

“No.” It was all Katie could say.

“Don’t you think you owe him the truth?” Jack asked. Such a typical lawyer, Katie thought. Everything is so black and white for him.

“Of course, but...I don’t know. He’s doing really great, he’s got a whole new life, a good job--and I don’t want to explode it all by bringing up the past,” Katie tried to explain.

“You mean you don’t want to explode your life,” Jack said, sadly, as he started to move to the door.

‘Wait, where are you going?” Katie tried to touch his arm, and he shook her off.

“I need some space. This is...a lot.” Jack didn’t look at her as he opened the door to leave.

“Jack, please don’t go--” she pleaded. “I’m sorry, I’m just trying to figure out the right thing to do.”

“Except you know what the right thing is...and you’re not doing it,” Jack looked back at her. “Maybe you’re right. I don’t think I know you at all.”

Jack closed the door and disappeared. Katie let the tears come, knowing he was right.