Page 92

Dark blond hair.

A handgun held steady in both hands.

Older than the boy I remember.

Harder.

Stronger.

But his eyes are exactly the same.

Sean.

For eighteen years, I imagined this moment.

I imagined seeing him across a street.

At a grocery store.

Standing beneath the oak tree where we once promised each other forever.

I imagined what I would say.

I'm sorry.

I tried.

They took her.

I never stopped loving you.

Now I can't say anything.

Sean lowers the weapon.

His face changes.

“Hayley.”

My name breaks in his voice.

Greg groans on the ground.

Sean doesn't even look at him.

He walks toward me.

One step.

Then another.

I can't move.

I can't breathe.

He stops a few feet away.

As if he's afraid I'll disappear.