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“Did you need help with it?” I tried to walk into the kitchen, but he turnedroom

“I’ll call you when I need you”

This was the first time I’d been back since Felix died

Shaut I should’ve co at Siot to see hi he needed—in between the marathon sessions with Zara

Only now those marathon sessions didn’t filltooth and nail—they ine a different kind of session Don’t cross that line, Leo

Last night in the taxi, there had been atogether The taxi ride home When our hands brushed as she went to leave, I’d wanted to drag her back into the car to learn firsthand how soft those lips were, but she’d bolted

Next time, I wouldn’t let indecision stop me

Decisive action had been how I’d runwhere I needed to be and adjusting at a split second when things changed was how I’d stood out My ticket had been written by -fast decisions before anyone else could recover

It was also why I’d agreed to giveIt hat hadin a while, but with Zara last night, it had felt like it had clicked back into place

Pictures lined every wall of the house Sam and Felix’s trips all over the world Events Felix had pulled off Their wedding A bunch ofup a pu it The jack-o-lantern’s half s as I’d hoped

Sam was in the later ones, once Ibeside raduation, where I was already a few inches taller than them I’d been able to see over the sea of kids and parents to find their s football

One of last photos we’d taken all together hung outside the entryway, alht I’d slao appeared on the screen behind e and full of the promise my future held

“He was a blubbering ht I had a box worth of tissues shoved into my pockets”

“It was a great night” And here I was four years later, trying to findto find his now, too “Have you been cooking a lot?”

“Not too much Help me with the sauce” He nodded toward the stove “Open the wine first?