Emma Scott

Cursing at every red light while wanting to cry like a baby because I’d found her.

The song hit its crescendo and Kacey’s grip on my arm tightened. Her eyes grew soft and she watched the water dance, but I could look nowhere but at her. The show was at my periphery, a backdrop to her.

I held it up, letting the sun shine through the empty interior.

Not empty, I thought. It holds Jonah’s breath.

Seeing the stars reflected in her eyes… that would be amazing. A chance of a lifetime.

And holy God, the stars… Millions of them wheeling in a brilliant backdrop to Kacey’s beauty. They were nothing to her. Nothing.

I would love you forever, Kacey, if I only had the chance.

“Because loving her is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

“You’re right,” Milo said, tears rushing back to choke his words. “I don’t believe you.”

“Nah. You’ll forget me by dawn.”

He hugged my arm tighter. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Talk like you don’t matter. You do matter. To me.”

Out of one prison, on to the next.