lanned to think

racted - his morning coffee growing col

retched before him in its usual order: steady, sleek, and indifferent. Normally, it

e wasn't sure why he wanted to call the school. I

g about Elena Hart

nd of h

h something between surprise and p

a loose strand of hair behind her ear

proposal draft he'd been working on. But inst

lumni event p

ed. The faces blurred togeth

e

na

d both helped organize. She stood beside a half-finished pai

or wearing a suit in the summer heat. He'd

he'd kissed her

ouse. He hadn't realized how much he'd forgott

h pressed down on

't just

s the

oved. The woman

zed faintly with the chatter of children cleaning up after art hour. She

hat paint stains,"

brush deeper. "It's okay,

g her daughter's fingers with a nap

ouble," Aria

armed. "Yes. My

desk. The sight of her daughter - her energy, her laughter - was the one thing t

ooked at Aria's

, he wa

he'd built her

lanket around her shoulders. The house was quiet - too quiet - the only sound

p was ano

drian B

rt Program

lse qu

ed it he

ss

on to finalize the program structure. I'd apprecia

Black

bus

just bu

on the edge. "Just business," she repeated unde

e told himself it was about efficiency. He told Travis he was heading to a

he squeak of shoes, the smell of paint. He found himself standi

ll jars of color on the shelf.

at hiding in plain si

ir. She turned, eye

ou arrange the colors the same way you use

breath catching.

ber ever

hickened between them, charged with the weight

e'd-" she began, bu

closer. "You didn't

table, fingers gripping

t m

o steady herself. "It was

m harder than he expected.

using on the brushes

ou're right." He glanced at her again. "Still, seei

id I," she

laugh. "Life's

d feel his eyes on her - sea

ly, a small voice ec

Black

there, clutching her drawi

kering across his face

ise!" she said proud

chpad. Inside was a new picture - a simple dr

girl. And a tall

"That's beautiful. Is t

"Yes! But now Mr. B

froze.

nt. "You said family means p

Elena, who was standing perfectly stil

t, time fel

ut he could feel it - that invisible

entle smile. "You're quite the

"Mommy says I

Elena murmured, try

too strong to ignore - the curve of her chin, the

is throat. "

e back?" Aria

ated. "I

- "If your mom

t respond.

d the door, his

g lot, the cool air brushing his face. He cl

now

ere for himself - for the part of him that ha

knew he wasn't g