The bite of scotch bonnet nipped at Anika’s nose. Humming, Joachim was whipping up shrimp and jollof rice in his kitchen for their special evening together. Tenderhearted, Joachim went out of his way each day to make her feel special. It was their first anniversary. She was so lucky with Joachim.

They’d met at work. She was photographing bands for a local arts website and Joachim was in production. After Anthony and Sergio, Anika had given up on the artist type. In fact she had given up on dating altogether. Her sister Adora had tried to set her up with beaucoup guys, brothers of friends, coworkers, dating websites. Once Dorie had even had a cute neighbor “accidentally “meet them in the park in the world’s more awkward meet cute. She had been so lucky with Joachim.

A jock who’d gone to seed, Joachim had not been Anika’s type. She found it so easy to share with him. Her new friend hung on her every word. She couldn’t help following for Joachim. Accusing her new boyfriend of love-bombing, Anika’s friends said Joachin was too clingy. Sure he preferred to spend their time together alone. And yes Joachim came across as standoffish Day by day, Anika pulled away from her friends

Plum wine, the lip gloss swiped over her mouth. Yes, indeed, she was the lucky one. She fluffed her bangs in Joachim’s bathroom mirror. Vibrating, his cell phone went off. Frailing Anika knocked it over. Notifications from dating apps filled his screen. Joachim, her Joachim, had been matched over half a dozen with local singles. Anika scrolled through Joachim’s phone. There was on Tinder, Plenty of Fish, Hinge, Match.com, and even Christian Mingles. She sank to the bathroom floor.

Without thinking Anika punched in her boyfriend’s security code. She knew he used his birthday. Message after message, Anika read the flirty conversations and heartfelt declarations. She recognized his self-deprecating jokes and stories Her love was hooking up with women across the county. Joachim stirred tomato sauce and hummed romatic songs while he shredded her heart on his sharp teeth. Anika began emailing herself screenshots of his lies. She was lucky she found out the real story.

“