Sophie stood a few feet away, holding a mesh bag of oranges. She looked exactly like she always had. For five-two she was, petite, and utterly terrifying in the way only women who love hard and remember everything can be. Pretty, yes, but sharp around the edges, eyes too alert.
When we were kids, she used to sell lemonade on hot summer days, smiling sweetly. Even then, she’d been efficient, exacting, and quietly ruthless. The kind of girl who could charm a crowd and still make sure no one crossed her.
Lily’s whole body changed the moment she saw her.
“Sophie!” she shouted, breaking free from my side and running straight into her.
She buried her face against Sophie’s stomach.
Sophie’s expression melted instantly. One hand came up without hesitation, rubbing Lily’s back with easy familiarity.
“Oh, sweetheart,” she said softly. “Look at you.”
I stepped forward, and tried for a smile. “Hey, Soph. Long time.”
She looked up at me. And whatever warmth had been there disappeared.
Her face settled into something polite but closed off, cool and distant.
“Ethan,” she said, giving a brief nod.
Now, there was no sweetness left where Ethan was concerned. He had broken her friend’s heart, and on top of that, the word about the incident had already spread. I knew it had. In a townthis small, things like that traveled faster than anything else. And I knew who people blamed.
They weren’t wrong.
“How’re you holding up?” Sophie asked. She didn’t sound too concerned.
“I’m… managing,” I said. I wasn’t sure if that was true.
Her eyes flicked over me, assessing. “Emma says Lily’s been having a hard time.”
“Yeah,” I said. “She has.”
“No surprise,” Sophie replied, tightening her hold on Lily slightly. Lily clung to her like she didn’t want to let go. “Kids notice more than adults give them credit for.”
My throat tightened. “I know.”
“I’m sure you’re trying,” Sophie said gently, but not toward me. “But she needs stability. Consistency.”
The message was clear.
I looked down at Lily, her cheek pressed against Sophie’s shoulder, and something inside me folded in on itself.
“I’m doing my best,” I said quietly.
Sophie didn’t soften.
“Sometimes,” she said, brushing Lily’s hair back carefully, “your best doesn’t erase the past.”
I deserved that.
Probably worse.
She kissed the top of Lily’s head. “You can always come over to play with Owen, okay? Any time.”
Lily nodded.
Then Sophie looked back at me.
