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Not while Micah begins making plans for brunch after church tomorrow and Harper informs me that I am attending both.

I leave the hospital two hours later without a reply from Paul.

That is fine.

Expected, even.

I tell myself I am relieved.

It is close enough to the truth.

Chapter 2

Olivia

Harper bribed me with brunch. She and Micah are in town, after all.

It should bother me that it worked.

Instead, I’m already deciding between pancakes and French toast before we’ve even reached the church parking lot.

“I still think this counts as manipulation,” I say as I climb out of Micah’s truck.

Harper rounds the front of the truck and links her arm through mine.

“It absolutely counts as manipulation.”

“So you’re admitting it.”

“I’m celebrating it.”

Micah locks the truck and joins us, keys spinning lazily around one finger.

“I told her she should’ve just asked.”

Harper looks over at him. “I did ask.”

“You also promised unlimited pancakes.”

“I know my audience.”

She does.

We start across the parking lot with everyone else making their way toward the entrance. Families. College students. Older couples walking hand in hand. A little girl in a yellow dress zigzags across the sidewalk before her dad gently steers her back toward the building.

Churches are busy before they ever become quiet.

I always forget that.

Harper waves at someone near the front doors.

Then someone else.

By the time we’ve crossed half the parking lot, she’s greeted three people.

Micah is up to at least ten.

That’s what happens when you move away to a new town and come back to a church full of people who have loved you for years.