plause and hollow congratulation

the award I eventu

ng with Spence, her laug

d something I rarely

estaurant, the kind I couldn' t get

ing out of place

potted m

in," he said, his voice dripping with

ening slightly before ann

t are you d

. "Izzy, what was that back there? Tonig

asked me to show Spence around. He just got back

er father adored m

a quick glance at Spence. "Your birthday is

tradition was hiking and campi

w quaint. There's an amazing concert that

fun." She turned to me. "You wouldn't en

n was clear. I

I d

king a familiar trail, the si

ater, a pack

watch, the kind I' d

missive. "Happy Belated

I realized later. A partin

myself success would win her back. If I ju

work, winning accolades,

less and l

ith Spence. Always laughing, always