orning trying not to look a

eam. The silver charm bracelet Jaxon had given her all those

dn't w

t know if

ing herself to leav

evator that morning, Claris

? You're

inked.

ok like someone who either got kiss

ht smile. "Defi

file. "Mr. Reid asked you to

perso

es questions. I just gi

eturned to her desk,

ad and made her w

essed to his ear. The city skyline behind him made him look l

red and ended the call w

ng," h

e file. "Your ac

but didn'

e been working hard. Stepping into Clari

Handling Mira should

eed a break. Something better than ve

her head. "

you somewhere.

skipped. "

or a few hours. Nothing work

"Is this... pa

t. "No. This is e

eath c

ispered. "Wher

'll

he city in Jaxon's matte-black Tesla, and L

tching the buildings shri

's not dinner at a five-star restaurant. And i

but now I

ve surprises,"

indow. "I used to lo

"Let's see if we can b

s edge, where trees arched over like a tunnel of green

und, confused.

ned the trunk, pullin

d. "Are yo

adl

e Jaxon Reid...

tted. "I called my ho

"I didn't even know you

ed you liked blueberry l

trees. She followed him until they reached a clearing-

s bea

si

ome here after my parents died. It was

the blanket beside him.

But back then... I woul

ind brushing soft strand

ed, if I could,"

eyes. "I kn

ments, sharing the quiet like ol

basket and handed h

this?"

he said. "With mint. J

s welled u

ced. "T

spered. "It's

urs. About nothing

nty, about failing and trying again, about the pres

three jobs in college, about eating cann

ed at he

investor pitch, where he spille

he said. "I thoug

happ

who could humiliate themselves an

ed. "He w

sket and pulled out a box

e... the bakery ones from t

them this morning. Th

ened. "You reall

ou to feel

at him. Rea

in a long time, the ach

you," s

r w

l... like something I

lake. Lily lay back on the blanket, eyes closed, bre

e her, arm bare

it?" she asked.

the t

go back, if

her. "Only if I cou

eath h

g her with that same intensity he'd had a

undo the years we lost. But I'd like to

ared a

sm

sca

am

hispered. "Me

apartment. She lingered at the curb,

aid gently. "Wh

no

both by leaning in

r remembering

unforg

bag of chips and an expression that could on

're

Mas

e wer

or

s not wo

pped onto the couch

u're sm

all

ow at her. "You'

e said. "I still

nd her wrist for the first time in seven years, Lily real

the second time aroun