Page 27 of Before This Ends (Before)

“Would you like a sticker?” the cashier, an older woman with long, grey hair braided over her shoulder, asks and pulls a stack of stickers from her pocket.

Winter carefully looks over the selection before choosing one of a unicorn. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiles, turning her attention to our stuff as she begins to scan. “Are you and Mom making tacos tonight?”

“She’s actually one of my good friends’ daughter.”

“Really?” She looks between Winter and me. “She looks just like you.”

I smile and look down at Winter. I guess she’s kind of right. We both have dark hair and a darker complexion than most without spending lots of time in the sun. And our eyes are similar in color as well. “I wasn’t as cute as she is when I was a kid.”

“She’s adorable.”

“She is,” I agree, wrapping my arm around Winter’s shoulders when she presses into my side in that way kids do when they are feeling shy or unsure.

“That will be $42.64, dear.” I take my card out to pay, then Winter and I push the cart out of the store toward my car.

As we reach the trunk of my car, I turn when my name is called and spot Lynn two vehicles over. I haven’t seen her since the evening Eli’s and my relationship basically came to an end and have been kind of avoiding her since then. Partly because I was seriously embarrassed by all that happened that night, and partly because she and Mica are Eli’s friends, and I don’t want to make anyone, especially him, feel uncomfortable by me still hanging around them.

“Hey.” I give her an awkward smile when she comes over to join us at my car. “How have you been?”

“Good.” She smiles down at Winter, who is once more clinging to my side. “Busy working and attempting to plan a wedding.”

“That’s fun.”

“It’s horrible. I absolutely do not recommend trying to plan a wedding in six months.” She grins when I laugh, then her head tips slightly to the side. “I miss you. I’ve messaged and haven’t heard from you.”

“I’m sorry. I miss you too.” It’s the truth. I miss a lot of the people who were in my life when Eli was a part of it. “It’s just?—”

“I know things are a little weird right now,” she cuts me off before I can explain. “And I get we became friends because of Eli, but I do consider you a friend, and I’ve been worried about you.”

My body relaxes. “Don’t be. I’m good. Really good, promise. And I would love to get a drink and catch up.”

“Let’s do it.” She smiles, then reaches out and grasps my arm. “I’ll call you, and we’ll plan something soon.”

“I’d love that.” I accept a hug when her arms wrap around me, then watch as she disappears into the store after saying goodbye.

“Is Eli your ex-boyfriend?” Winter asks a few minutes later as I slide into the driver’s seat, and I meet her gaze in the rearview mirror.

“He is.” I buckle and press the button to turn on my car.

“Why did you break up?”

“We just weren’t meant to be together.”

“My mom says the same thing about why she and Daddy aren’t together anymore.”

“That’s sometimes what happens between adults,” I tell her softly, my heart clenching inside my chest. I know Miles and her mom haven’t been together for years. But even if that’s the way it’s always been, at least as far as she remembers, it’s still got to be difficult growing up and having her parents separated—not just emotionally but in terms of distance as well.

“Adults are so weird.”

“They really are.” I laugh and listen to her giggle as I back out of my parking space.

* * *

Standing at the stove,with the list of Winter’s spelling words in one hand and a spatula in the other, I watch her write the wordbecauseon the paper in front of her.

“Done.” Her eyes meet mine right before her attention goes to the door when it’s opened, and Miles steps inside. “You’re home!” She slides off the stool and runs across the room to greet him with a hug.

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