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“I had to.”

“You did.” She squats down and hands me a bowl. I eye the contents. “Snowman soup. Hot chocolate and ice cream. Like an affogato but with hot chocolate. Flick can’t have it with her vegan diet so I always end up making too much.”

No idea what avocado has to do with hot chocolate, but no complaints here.

“What do you think they’re doing right now?”

“If I had to guess, he’s getting her pregnant in the back of his car and then taking her to Vegas to get hitched.”

My chest literally folds in on itself, and I cuss at my feet while Riley laughs.

“They’re going to a charity event, Knox. At the very most, they will dance.”

As if that’s supposed to make me feel better. His hands on her waist. Hers on his neck. I picture him whispering a joke in her ear and Felicity laughing.

“I’m going to throw up.”

“You’re not going to throw up.”

“I am.”

“Then aim for the bushes.”

I curl my arm around my stomach. It’s my own fault, I know. If I had just reacted normally to the whole searching for her mom’s ex-boyfriend thing, then I could have followed through with that kiss and we wouldn’t be in this situation.

Riley sighs. “Want to egg Rowen’s house with me?”

“What did Rowen do?”

“Nothing, it just sounds fun. Would be good for the frustration. I hear Lottie and Walker have their fair share of experience doing it.”

“No, thanks. I’ll wait here for now.”

I check my watch, 8:07 p.m. She’ll be here soon, right? I mean, how long does a charity date take?

***

The answer is a long, long time apparently. Finally at 10:45 p.m., a red 4Runner pulls onto Lover’s Lane, and a sigh the size of Mount Everest leaves my mouth.

Felicity gets out of the car, waving goodbye and closing the door sweetly. Cal pulls out of the driveway and takes off down the street as she walks up to the front porch with a soft smile on her face.

That is, until I take a step into the light and she gasps, clutching her pearls that she’s not wearing.

“Knox! You nearly gave me a heart attack. Were you…waiting on me?”

The pity in her eyes makes my stomach turn again.

“No. I forgot my Scrabble letters here.”

“Oh. I think Riley’s home? She probably could’ve let you in.” She points to the only other car in the driveway.

“I…didn’t realize.”

“Don’t you still have a key to the place?”

“I forgot.”

She nods slowly. “Right.”