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“Do I have a walker?” Jade scoffed. “You two are lucky I like you or else I would be leaving.”

“You’re trying not to smile. You like this.” Beatrice stared at her.

I knew that Beatrice was right. Jade did like this. And it reminded me of how she and I used to be. We would always banter and throw jokes at one another, and it would never go too far.

“Do you guys wanna go play on the playground now?” I offered. “You finished your drinks.”

Both of them let out guttural screams and ran out the door. I winced and apologized to everyone around us.

“A walker? Really?” Jade stood and shook her head as she headed outside to watch the girls. It was so strange seeing how instinctual this was for her. Most days, I felt like I was treading water, trying to figure out what these two needed. She seemed to know automatically.

When she got what she wanted and found the right person, she would be a great mother.

I followed and said the most idiotic thing I could think of.

“So, you’ve heard of my game?”

She paused. “The entire town talked about it.”

“Did they find the cove?”

“The what?” She shook her head. “There isn’t a cove.”

“There is.”

“Nope,” she said. I wasn’t sure if she was pulling my leg or not.

“I promise you there is.”

“I promise you there’s not.”

“Jade, I know the game I made.”

“And I’ve put five thousand hours into that game,” she snapped. “I’ve played through the small-town area every time and I know it’s not there.”

I started to argue, but I stopped myself. “You’ve played in the small-town area for five thousand hours?”

The color drained from her cheeks. I knew how Jade was. She never wanted to appear weak. She’d avoided me up until I left, saying she didn’t want to see me ever again.

But if she played that many hours . . .

How many nights had she thought of me? How many nights did my stupid decision weigh her down?

I regretted it more than I could ever say. But I regretted it because I lost her.

I wondered if she’d missed me at all.

It was better not having an answer.

Jade realized it the same moment I did. Her breath came out quickly and she darted to the alleyway near her apartment.

One of the people staring was Jackie.

“Hi, it’s really nice to see you again,” I said in a rush. “But can you watch my two kids?”

“O-okay.”

That was all I needed before following Jade. I found her near the stairs to her apartment. “Jade⁠—”