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pathetic. Essentially, it was the kind of hope that refused to be crushed even

though it was hopeless. Hopeful hopelessness. Was that even a thing?

Romi dug the check out of her purse, jammed the thing beneath the

passenger seat, and tucked her phone into the middle console. She doubted

anyone in a neighborhood with million-dollar houses would want to break a

window to steal it, but you never knew what got people excited.

She locked the car and walked up the stone walkway to the concrete

steps. She picked up the brass lion head knocker and rapped it hard.

Her stomach did a couple flips. What if Kiera wasn’t home? Maybe that

would be better. Maybe Romi should have called. Maybe coming here was

actually the worst thing she could have done. She sometimes assumed

things and was absolutely dead wrong and, of course, regretted talking

herself into it when the moment came.

She was in the middle of debating whether she should turn around and

run when the door opened. Kiera was there. She was dressed in skinny jeans

and a baggy green sweater. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun. She

looked exactly like Romi remembered, except that she was even more

beautiful, if that was even possible.

Of course it’s possible. The unattainability of things always makes them

that much more awe inspiring. History has taught everyone this. It’s

common knowledge.

“Romi…” Kiera didn’t exactly seem surprised to see her. Romi, however,

was shocked to see Kiera smile warmly. A wonderful smile that made the

tiniest of lines at the corners of her beautiful eyes and gave her sensual lips

just the hint of definition.

“Hi. I-I came because the check was canceled?” Romi unfolded the

wrinkled, soggy check out of her right hand. She nearly made a noise deep

in her throat when she realized how grossly damp her palms were.

“That’s right.” Kiera nodded, but didn’t stop smiling. “I cancelled it.”

“Oh.” Romi toed her canvas shoe into the cement step.