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“Oh, probably for so to avoid giving a real answer

She hadn’t told anyone about the circumstances of her trip It just seemed so…unacceptable Aed led with it, and for some reason she felt ashamed to admit that that was the purpose of her journey She didn’t want to hear the coe on a long trip and left it at that

“Well we’ll certainly miss you around here You enjoy that ice cream, and make sure to take lots of pictures for us, okay?”

“I will,” Steph said, paying for her ice crea out of the shop just as a swaret their own summertime treats

With the aot in Vermont, the number of snow days usually meant that school didn’t end until close to July Steph listened to a couple of kids talking about su in their eyes as they et their own ice creams

The toas settled on a large freshwater lake Steph’s next destination was a bench that sat facing the round and crossed her legs as she enjoyed every ounce of the best ice cream in the world The mountains were reflected perfectly on the water The caps were still coated with snow, as early into the season as it was

Steph would h she loved eather She had often stared at the backdrop on her work co a day with a handso punch from a coconut Maybe El Farah had a beach like that Maybe that here her future husband would take her on their honeymoon

Steph’s sto between excitement and complete and total terror There was no way she could just uy, was there? But he wasn’t randoh an extensive vetting process, her father deferring to her mother, who had been raised with such traditions and knehat needed to be done

Steph had always been a bit of a romantic It kind of came with the territory when one had an artistic soul She had often daydrea deeply in love, running off together to live the life of their drea in Vermont had effectively squashed that dreain with, and Steph had never had a connection with anyone that remotely resembled love There was simply no future for her here, and she had to trust her parents enough to obey their wishes

After all, this was the twenty-first century Divorce would always be an option if things didn’t work out

Finishing her ice creans for a ball gown she’d been thinking about, listening peacefully to the sounds of nature and getting lost in her art After so rays directly at her, so Steph packed up her bag and started walking home

While her house had once been settled on a hilltop overlooking the whole town, she now lived in a s lost his wealth, her father hadas an accountant

When she arrived at the cabin, Steph opened the door and called out

“I’m home!”

Herher hands up in the air S the scent of nail polish, Steph leaned over to see what color her mother had chosen

“Royal blue That’s fitting, right?” Steph said with a grin

Hercolor of El Farah That is why it is so incorporated into your gown Did you give your notice to your employer?”

“Uave her a stern look “I’ve got an e out to him tomorrow It will be fine”

“Stephanie, a written letter as you sneak out the door is not a professional way to end a working relationship You should go back right now and give proper notice”