Melissa froze for a second, and then her eyes lit up. She clinked her glass against mine, tears still shimmering. “To new beginnings. And may everything go your way.”

I smiled from the bottom of my heart.

While we were eating, a waiter showed up with three fancy–looking dishes.

Melissa blinked. “I didn’t order these. Must be a mix–up?”

The waiter smiled, “Compliments of Mr. Holcomb. Your bill’s taken care of.”

Melissa’s head snapped to me. “Jared sent these?”

I took a bite. “Not bad. Let’s eat–no sense wasting good food.”

Melissa laughed awkwardly. “One of these probably costs more than my entire meal.”

trying to make up for things with cash? That was just like

Melissa still looked confused by my calm. She leaned in, her voice serious. “Yvonne was so cozy with that woman. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she’s her kid.

hover

get a paper cut.

day, let them prod and poke until my skin was raw, and still nothing. I had cried

entire world. She thought having my “precious little girl” stolen by another woman would be like a knife to the

wine and shook my head. “Maybe once. Not anymore. She’s six–old enough to understand right and wrong. Kids aren’t puppets I can control forever. Someday she’ll find her own path. If she’s happier with someone else, I can let her

You’re totally different now.

guard sometimes. Melissa, we’ve known each other since high school, stuck together through college, and now we’re living in the same

“Good. You’re my friend, and that’s

pay, but the waiter told her Jared had already covered the bill. She looked at me and shrugged. “I was supposed

and

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