th an old rag, the scent of oil and

e clock, almost

ngagement party,

wanting to make her happy, wanting to gi

and Ethan paid for a lot of

sweetheart, always sweet, al

mall but crowded with her relatives

himself, picked up the cake, made sur

r eyes kept darting to a new guy, Brandon

o shake off a

ake a small speech, tha

felt a li

andon, slick hair and a s

d, his voice loud, "I think Jessic

arm arou

n fr

n, her smile gone, rep

ar and steady, "you've been... we

t through th

s shining, "he's shown me what a real future

Ethan like a

hest

ng up suddenly seemed

o leave, Jessica cornered

mall wad of cas

be friends, Ethan. Brandon says he might even be able to help you out

red at the mon

cold, hollow space whe

the money o

, his voice hoarse