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Max had a sht He see time, I felt happy too

At the end of the night, the three of us watched a ether Lily was on one side, and I was on the other She leaned against his side, and he had his arm around me

It was crazy how cohter It just felt so… right

After Lily went to bed, Max and I cuddled on the sofa He rubbed my feet while atched TV

“Max,” I said, breaking the silence “What happened to Lily’s mom?”

“She didn’t want to be a mom,” Max said “Or a wife”

“Sorry,” I said “I shouldn’t have asked”

Max patted h “No, it’s fine You can ask whatever you want I want to know everything about you, and I’ll tell you anything you want to know”

“Oh,There isn’t much to know,” I said

We talked for hours—both of us falling asleep eventually

Lily woke us bright and early at seven in theShe didn’t seem upset or surprised to find me there

“I should go hohtened my clothes

“Are you going to come back later?” Lily asked

“Oh, um, I don’t know,” I said

Max folded his hands together “Please!”

I laughed My eyes locked with Max’s “Are you sure?”

“Positive”

I smiled “Okay, then it’s decided I’ll be back later”

Epilogue – Hope

We saw each other aloing well, and it helped that I could see Max on lunch breaks once a week

Lily and I had grown close So, close I couldn’t even iine my life without her dad

I spent more time at their house than I did at mine But Olivia kept my house clean… ish

We didn’t have parties at my house anymore Not because Max didn’t like it but because I wasn’t interested

My days were filled ork and spending time with Lily and Max It was the first ti felt like it was in place

I was Max’s -lost puzzle