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When they start down the steps, again arm in ar froaze lands on me that she’s not surprised to see me there

“Can we talk?” I ask

“It’s not a good ti at her parents, who are still walking toward the parking lot, oblivious I’ve stopped their daughter

“It’s Christ to appeal to whatever joyful spirit she , what I adht Mass “I’ for a bit of time to talk”

She nibbles on her lip in dis bright against the fiery locks of hair that hang over her shoulders She looks at Laney, then toward the parking lot, then back to Laney “I need ten minutes”

“Of course,” Laney says, then gives lance I’e”

I nod at her “Merry Christmas”

As Laney heads to her parents’ car, I take Jaime’s hand and lead her away fro, the church all lit up and casting a glow over us It ht be the type of moment a man uses to tell a woman he loves her or even proposes to her, but those moments are already lost to us

She tugs her hand away from mine, crosses her ar “Jai you to forgive me, so we can move on—”

“Hold up just a loved pale”

“Yeah… I get that” I hope my admission softens her a bit

“Do you knohat rook means?” she asks

Frowning, I give it a shot “It’s a chess piece, right?”