Because Grandma had invited me to dinner, I decided to leave work early. It was barely four in the afternoon when the company’s group event wrapped up, and everyone was still chatting and laughing in clusters.
Joe insisted on walking me to the parking lot, his usual warm grin in place. “Drive safe, Rae,” he said, tucking his hands into his pockets.
I smiled. “Got it.”
Just as I reached for my car keys, a black sedan rolled slowly past. I wouldn’t have looked twice—until the rear window slid down and a little head popped out.
“Rae, goodbye!” Sophia’s cheerful voice rang out.
My heart softened. I waved, smiling. “Goodbye, sweetheart.”
Then my gaze shifted—and met Steve’s. For a brief second, time seemed to still. His eyes met mine, unreadable, before flicking to Joe standing beside me.
