20
BAL S 74%]
The first blooms of spring opened after the long winter.
I stood by the window, counting the icicles still clinging to the edges of the glass. Inside, the heat from the radiator filled the air with a misty haze.
Next to me, a young girl worked through her practice exercises.
This was my last job before graduation–a part–time gig as a tutor.
I glanced outside through the frosted glass.
The faint sunlight reflected off the melting snow, and in the distance, someone leaned against a battered silver sedan.
Liam.
He wore a camel–colored cashmere sweater, his pale skin blending into the snowy background. He stood far enough away that I couldn’t tell if he was staring at me or just zoning out.
Then my phone vibrated in my pocket.
It was him.
“Stop staring at me,
Miss.”
“Focus on your lesson. The kid next to you is practically bursting with curiosity.”
I turned my head and locked eyes with the girl I was tutoring. Just moments ago, been diligently memorizing vocabulary words.
Now her eyes sparkled with excitement.
she’d
“Miss, what’s going on with you and that guy outside?” she asked, practically bouncing in
MISS, Whats yoily on with you and that guy outsiders asked, practicany DoUNCHY I
her seat.
“Is he your boyfriend?”
I ruffled her hair, trying to steer her attention back to her workbook.
The piled–up snow outside melted away in silence, just like the lingering chill of winter.
When I stepped out into the slushy snow to meet Liam, he opened his arms wide.
“Careful-”
Before he could finish, I slipped and fell straight into him.
He caught me easily, his arms wrapping around my waist as I stumbled into his chest.
His breath puffed out in small clouds, fading into the cold air.
He reached out and tugged my hat down snugly over my head.
In the dim, flickering light of the streetlamp, he bent down and kissed me.
On the walk home, he held my hand.
Not because he wanted to, of course. It was only because the icy sidewalks were slippery, and he didn’t want me to fall again.
That’s what I told myself, anyway.
It definitely wasn’t because I wanted to hold on to his warmth.
As we walked, he broke the silence.
“Do you remember the small town we used to live in?”
We hadn’t always lived in this city. After our parents disappeared, Liam had brought me
here to start over.
“The officer who worked on Mom and Dad’s case… he’s here now.”
“I ran into him a few days ago.”
My chest tightened. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Instead, Lgripped his
hand harder.
“It’s fine,” he said softly, his voice melting into the white emptiness around us.
“I gave them some leads on Josh and his crew. I think that’s why he’s here.”
“Probably just to thank me.”
When we reached the house, there was a man standing outside.
He was wearing civilian clothes, but the sharpness in his posture gave him away
immediately.
It was the same officer who had investigated our parents‘ disappearance all those years
ago.
He was older now, with streaks of gray in his hair, but his sharp eyes hadn’t dulled.
In fact, time had only made him harder to read, more calculating.
His
gaze shifted to where Liam and I were holding hands, a flicker of amusement passing
over his face.
“Long time no see.”
“You two are still as close as ever, I see.”
