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The chapel on post filled quickly People I recognized and countless soldiers I didn’t took their seats in hushed tones We’d asked for this to serve as the unit’s h this a second ti comforted en h me April was allowed to fall apart That was a luxury I didn’t get to have, not anyh school, pulledat the back of the chapel while I waited for Gus I sagged a little against her, willing to let her take soht "This sucks"

She always knew just what to say

"I’ honestly for the first time today

"Where’s Riley?" The perfect café au lait skin of her forehead puckered as her eyebrows drew together

I plastered a fake s"

Her furrows deepened, and I saw a flash run through her hazel eyes before she sighed "Kayla? She’s still your rooht?"

"She’s in Boston with her parents, but she’s flying back to Boulder in the next few days" I held my breath and waited for the typical sarcastic quip to come from Sam There was no love lost between Kayla and Sarown apart last year I’d gone off to Boulder and becoo to school here in Colorado Springs I still loved the heck out of Sam, but it was hard to keep a friendship with such separate lives

"Right" Organ music started to play, and Sam squeezed my hands "That’s my cue Ember, whatever you need, I’m here"

"I know you are"

She gave me a weak sood friend of Dad’s I guess that’s what happens when you spend years and two duty stations with someone

"Ember?" I turned to see Mrs Rose, whose husband had been killed in the attack with Dad She looked put together in a si heels Her hair was done, makeup perfect and unsmeared Her two little boys, Carson and Leere immaculately dressed in little black suits