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They hung up, and Jason fixed Maggie with a faux stern look as Max raced up, practically doing cartwheels as theof the ice cream truck filled the air Soetting ice cream?”

Clasping her hands, Maggie begged, “Pleeeease?” as Max chimed in

Jason bought the almost as much chocolate on his face as they did

He buzzed as they walked ho to call Ben and tell him how he felt

As soon as he figured out how to say it

This was a huge mistake

A bus ru as Ben stood on the sidewalk in front of the building He stepped onto the grass to make way for an enor which unit was Jason and Maggie’s

Unable to stoest impulse purchase of his life with a stupidly expensive plane ticket It had taken a red-eye and two connections, but noas actually looking at Jason’s home

Finding the address had been alarly easy online Ben knew he should at least call before showing up, but he kept telling himself he’d do it at the next airport Then in the cab But noas on the narrow strip of lawn between the sidewalk and a row of bushes, phone in his damp palm

It was late afternoon Storm clouds darkened the sky in the distance, the humid air thick with promise Sweat dripped down Ben’s spine, the sleeves of his thin plaid shirt rolled to his elbows This had all made sense when he’d hatched his plan Not that it had been a plan per se The idea was basically to beg Jason to give him a chance Give them a chance

Jason was young and scared and overwhelether He’d plead his case one more time, and if Jason said no, that would truly be the end of it But at least Ben wouldn’t have to wonder what if and live with the regret of having not even tried

Rolling back his shoulders, he pocketed his phone and took one step Then another and another, rounding the bushes with his duffel in one hand, squeezing the straps Inside the foyer, he scanned a list of surnaer hovered in the air