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Ethan turns around at the threshold. “Take care, Alexis.” He takes a few steps, then pauses, his back facing me. “Don’t worry about us forgetting you.”

His hand clenches at his side, and the next words he says are uttered on an exhale so low, I almost don’t hear him.

“You’re unforgettable.”

Chapter 13

Past: One Year Before the Accident—Nineteen Years Old

The rain crashes ontothe hummingbird window in an apocalyptic deluge. Hurricane Ana, one of the biggest storms in the last ten years, graces us with her presence. The vintage lamps in Ravenswood flicker as the roar of thunder shakes the windows.

Hurried footsteps and sounds of bags zipping shut echo around me. The patrons on the rare books floor rush to pack up and head out before the worst of the storm locks down the city.

I swallow the ball in my throat and look at our texts from three days ago again.

Delaney

Saturday, four p.m. Ravenswood.

Alex

???

Delaney

You’re looking at the newest finance manager of a Fortune 500 company.

Alex

OMG, really? It’s only been ten months! That’s got to be a record.

Delaney

My boss got promoted and his position opened up. He put me up for it. Of course it doesn’t hurt I’m doing well.

Delaney

Does this mean you’ll follow through? Meet me in person?

I remember staring at the message for ten minutes before I replied.

Alex

A deal’s a deal. Yes. I’ll be there.

Delaney

No more secrets. No more fake names. I want to tell you everything.

The last three days, I’ve been buried by coursework at UNYC. The finance courses are kicking my ass, but I’m loving my marketing classes. Things click when I read about the 4Ps—products, price, place, and promotion.

Unlike ballet—where the gap between my performance and goals keeps widening—I’m acing my marketing courses. My professors have even pulled me aside to ask if I see a future in the field.

For the first time in my life, I see a clear direction of where I’m going.

I was right.

Being in college has given me perspective and the confidence to know I’ll be fine after graduating.