Ashes of the Year Uncooled, a Lifetime on the Heart

Summary

I was stocking up on supplies for the New Year when I ran into him at the end of an aisle.

Just like that, without any warning, I came face-to-face with Declan.

It had been five years since we’d last spoken. A clean, complete break. After a flicker of surprise, I managed a polite greeting. He asked how I’d been, and I returned his politeness with a practiced response.

“I’ve been okay.”

At the checkout, he moved to pay for my things, but I stopped him. His eyes flickered to the toys in my cart, and a strange expression crossed his face.