This time, no tears. It felt like I’d run out–or maybe it was something deeper, finally settling in


    I’d epted it: Hayden and I were done.


    On the drive back, rain came down hard, like it was trying to drown the whole city. I don’t know if I


    was zoned out or if the roads were just slick, but I didn’t hit the brakes in time and bumped the car


    in front of


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    1. me.


    The rain was so intense that neither of us even bothered getting out to check. We just called the


    police and stayed in our cars.


    By the time the police and insurance showed up, the rain had finally eased. I stepped out of the car,


    and so did the other driver–and we both froze when we saw each other.


    “If I’d known it was you, I wouldn’t have dragged the cops out in this weather,” she said, annoyed,


    and I could see the young traffic cop roll his eyes.


    “You two know each other?” he asked. “You want to settle it privately or go


    “Officially,” I said.


    “Privately,” Sasha snapped, right at the same time.


    The cop sighed. “Pick one, or I start writing it up.”


    “Officially. We have insurance,” I insisted.


    official?“.


    Sasha just rolled her eyes. “If we go official, they’ll tow our cars, and then we’re stuck waiting on


    repairs. Total hassle for something this tiny.”


    She wasn’t wrong–it’d be a nightmare to deal with the rain without my car. But, knowing her, she


    could probably get a recement with a single phone call. She just wanted to skip the headache.


    Still, I pushed to keep it official, asking the police and insurance folks to go ahead and assess the


    cars right there.


    Just as I was about to leave, a tiny, sweet voice called out from Sasha’s car.


    “Miss, Miss!” came the little voice.


    I turned to see Milly’s adorable face peeking out the window, and couldn’t help but smile as I walked


    over. “Hey, Milly! Long time no see.”


    “Will you stay with me? It’s my birthday today,” she said, catching me totally off guard. It felt


    impossible to


    say no.


    Sasha smirked. “You ran into my car, so it’s like fate brought you to our doorstep.”


    Alright, so she was going to rope me into this, huh?


    But it was Milly’s birthday, and there was no way I could just walk off. “How about I take you out to


    pick a birthday present, Milly?”


    She shook her head. “I don’t need a gift; I just want you to spend time with me.”


    #25 BONUS


    Her words hit me, reminding me of the first time I met her. As Thorsten’s daughter, she had


    everything she could ever want–except people who showed up for her.


    “Please?” she asked, her big eyes hopeful.


    Something in me softened. “Okay.” I said with a smile. And you can just call me Keira.”


    “Perfect!” Sasha grinned. “Let’s head back together, Keira. Everything’s ready at home.”


    I hadn’t seen Sasha much, but each time, she left a whole new impression. The first time, she was


    all charm; next, she came off petty and jealous, then almost vulnerable, like she was just as alone


    as the rest of us.


    “Going to your ce is… kinda inconvenient for me,” I admitted, trying to keep it real.


    If it was Milly’s birthday. Thorsten would probably be there, and maybe even Cole. Thest thing I


    wanted was to get tangled up with them.


    Sasha, clearly reading my hesitation, shrugged. “No inconvenience. Thorsten’s not doing well, so


    he won’t be there,” she said, then nodded at Milly. “It’ll just be us and her.”


    With that reassurance–and Milly looking up at me with those big, hopeful eyes–what else could I


    say?


    Once the traffic cop and insurance rep were done, a car Sasha had called pulled up. “They’ll tow


    ours for repairs. We’ll take this one,” she said smoothly.


    Milly was already clutching my hand and looked up, reaching out to be carried.