That night, I’m lying in bed scrolling through the photos of the shop for the hundredth time when my phone buzzes.
JAX: The new chicken leader has been overthrown. We’re on our third regime change this week.
SLOANE: Political instability in the coop.
JAX: It’s chaos. I’m considering implementing martial law.
SLOANE: Drastic measures.
JAX: Desperate times.
I smile, then take a breath.
SLOANE: Can I ask you something?
JAX: Always.
SLOANE: If someone you barely knew wanted to move to your town ... would that be weird?
There’s a long pause. Those three dots appear and disappear several times.
JAX: Depends. Is this hypothetical person you?
SLOANE: Maybe. Hypothetically.
JAX: Then no. It wouldn’t be weird. It would be the best news I’ve heard in weeks.
My heart races.
SLOANE: Even if that person was still figuring their life out? Even if they couldn’t promise anything?
JAX: Even then. Sloane, I’m not expecting promises. I’m not expecting anything except for you to do what makes you happy. If that happens to be here, near me, then I’m going to be thrilled. If it’s somewhere else, I’ll support that too.
SLOANE: You’re too good to be real.
JAX: I’m very real. And I’m very patient. Take your time. Figure it out. I’ll be here.
I stare at that message for a long time.
Then I open the folder Maggie gave me. Look at the numbers again for the millionth time. Go through the possibilities again.
20
SLOANE
December hits Denver like a Hallmark movie on steroids. Overnight, the entire city transforms into a winter wonderland that makes me want to vomit. Lights everywhere. Garland on every lamppost. Store windows filled with snow globes, nutcrackers, and displays that scream Christmas joy.
And I’m the fucking Grinch this year.
“You’re doing it again,” Riley observes, watching me glare at a particularly offensive inflatable Santa in someone’s yard as we drive past.
“Doing what?”
“Scowling at Christmas decorations like they personally attacked you.”
“They’re everywhere. It’s an assault.”
“It’s December third. This is normal.” She glances at me. “You love Christmas. You’re the person who starts playing Mariah Carey the day after Halloween. What happened to you?”
