laughter and the smell of popcor

ueezed my hand, her e

soon?" she asked,

d, forcing a smile. "He has a

in my mind: "Swamped. Critical demo

one Ethan said made her look like sunshine. I wore a

tech exec, not Sarah Sterling, heiress. It was for him, f

I saw

awn, near the cotton

ually around Chloe, his colleague. Her son, Leo, a boy from Lily's class, was p

t. The noise of

ed. A new tex

Don't make

started

ain. "Mommy, can we do

up. Chloe and Ethan were a few pairs ahead, Leo

Lily and I manag

h another parent, her foot shot out. I stumbled, my

g, but the pain in

ver, not to me

voice full of concern. She' d feig

the ground, Lily t

aid, his tone sharp. "You

. Someone nearby muttered, "What

zer, flustered,

then turned to Chloe. "Don't worry, I'll buy you an

ok at me again. L