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We sat side by side on the bench I turned her hand up and placed the box in her palraduation I’m so proud of you”

She unwrapped it and gasped, “Ro like the kind of box an engage should come in But the name of the jewelry store was embossed in shiny silver script on the top of the box

“Open it,” I encouraged

She popped off the lid and let out a sigh “It’s so pretty”

“Butterflies have a lot of ently pried the necklace out of the box and held it up “You’ve grown and changed a lot since the day I tried to break into your locker”

She laughed softly, then turned and held up her hair “Some say they symbolize eternal love, too”

I leaned forward and kissed right below her ear “You already have mine”

“You have mine too,” she whispered

I slid the chain around her neck, worked the tiny clasp open and secured it “There”

“Thank you” She let her hair down and turned to faceby the mall to pick up a present for me?”

“I didn’t want to show up empty-handed”

“This is your home too” She laid her hand over mine and squeezed “Get dressed You need a decent meal And I want to talk to you some more”

“Yes, dear”

Laughing, she leaned in and gaveit behind her

I returned to the dresser and pulled out a T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants Sighing as I slipped into the clean-scented clothes, I felt better than I had in weeks I grabbeddownstairs

In the kitchen, Juliet was seated at the table,of chips I took the seat next to her and stared at the huge roast beef sandwich she’d prepared Oozing with mayo, it was stacked with tomatoes, lettuce, and a thick layer of roast beef Just the way I liked it She slid a s white that looked like chunky mayonnaise in my direction

“Horseradish ht like it too Careful, it’ll set your sinuses on fire, though”

“This looks perfect as it is, but I’ll give it a try,” I prood,” Iabout ”

She chuckled and bit into another chip

Feeling wrong about eating in front of her, I nudgedher the other half

She held up her hand “I stuffed plenty of roast beef in ether”