Chapter 19 — The Backup Offer

December came, with its crisp air and its strings of lights.

One evening, over coffee at Zachary’s kitchen counter while Paisley did her homework at the table, Paisley set down her pencil and looked up at us with great seriousness.

“Are you two officially dating now?”

I nearly choked on my coffee.

Zachary kept his composure.

“Why do you ask, sweetie?”

“Because you look at each other the same way Sofi’s parents look at each other.” And she made a face of such exaggerated, dreamy adoration that I burst out laughing.