Page 19 of Yours Until Forever

Her eyes narrow ever so slightly, and her nostrils flare, a subtle, but telling, flash of irritation. “I doubt it. Gage only pays attention to what he wants.”

Clare immediately nods in agreement, but I’m watching Shayla now. Watching the cracks show.

Because nothing she’s said lines up with the man who sent me that email this morning. Who took the initiative and arranged our meeting yesterday. Who did everything in his power to ensure Luna and Sarah had a magical weekend in Nashville.

A cold unease curls in my stomach.

Has Shayla been exaggerating, or outright lying, about Gage?

And if so, why?

Before I can fully process this, Sarah comes running over, her backpack bouncing with every step. Luna follows, just as breathless.

“Mommy! Can we get donuts on our way home?”

I push the question aside for now. “Sure, sweetheart.”

But the feeling lingers. Gage Black may not be the man I thought he was at all.

7

Gage

Mid-morning Friday, I receive an email from Mrs. Liu that she’s also sent to Amelia. She’s happy with the plans we’ve made so far. She’s also forwarded a list of volunteer parents that Stephanie just sent her. It’s disorganized as hell, and I can’t make sense of who actually volunteered, who was added without agreeing, and who has now bailed.

I’m in the middle of perusing the list when I receive a text from Amelia.

Amelia:

Have you seen Mrs. Liu’s email?

Me:

Reading it now. Trying to make sense of the volunteer list.

Amelia:

I think we should contact everyone to see if they still want to volunteer.

Me:

It’d be more efficient to just ask everyone to sign up again.

She takes a minute to come back to me.

Amelia:

Okay, but we need to do that ASAP.

Amelia:

We also need to do more work on the budget ASAP.

She’s right about that. It’s a complete fuckup. Unrealistic.

Me:

Let’s find time to go over it tonight when I collect Luna.

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