The first time Owen and I had been alone since I left was not planned.
I was carrying a box of art supplies through the center when I saw him at the front desk. He was talking to the receptionist, holding a paper bag from the bakery across the street. I stopped in the hallway.
The center's director, Marian, had invited me to show her the revised exhibition schedule. She came around the corner behind me.
"June, there you are. Owen brought those pastries for the volunteer meeting."
"I see."
Owen turned when he heard my name. "Hey."
Marian glanced between us. "You two know each other?"
"He's my ex," I said.
The word came out without effort. I felt the impact only after it was already in the room.
Owen's face tightened. "I didn't realize you were calling it that."
I placed the box on
