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How could I not know the date?

But in everything that happened, I lost track of the days.

“And you?”

“Thirty-seven.”

I stare at him.

“You still have the same birthday.”

Sean's mouth twitches.

“I haven't managed to change it.”

I laugh again.

This one hurts.

Because I remember Sean's nineteenth birthday.

The oak tree.

His arms around me.

The promises we made.

Sage.

I turn back toward the window.

Not now.

Sean seems to understand.

He doesn't say anything else.

Twenty minutes later, Taylor slows.

My heart begins pounding.

The motel appears ahead.

A sheriff's vehicle sits near the office.

Will waits beside a dark SUV.

And next to him⁠—

I stop breathing.

A girl stands beneath the motel awning.

Brown hair.

Glasses.

Oversized clothes.