Chapter 2

02

The meeting lasted for two hours.

Landon explained his design philosophy while I kept my head down, taking notes.

His handwriting was still as beautiful as ever.

The handwritten notes on the blueprints were so neat they looked like they had been printed.

I stared at those words and drifted off, remembering the sticky notes he used to leave me.

“There’s yogurt in the fridge. Don’t forget to drink it.”

“Working late tonight. Go to sleep first.”

“Next Wednesday is your birthday. I’ve already taken the day off.”

Every single note had a little fish drawn at the bottom.

He said it was because my name was Gia Fisher.

When the meeting ended, Selena suggested we grab a bite together.

Landon checked his watch and said he had another meeting, maybe some other time.

As he was packing up his blueprints, the top sketch slid off the table.

I leaned down to grab it, and my fingers brushed against his.

He pulled back instantly.

The sketch landed in my hand.

“Thanks,” he said.

He didn’t call me Gia. He didn’t say another word.

As he walked out the door, I noticed the tiny mole on the back of his neck.

It was in the exact same spot as it was three years ago.

That winter he had a fever, and I was pressing a warm towel to his forehead.

That mole was right in front of my eyes, trembling slightly every time he coughed.

He told me to stop looking because it was ugly.

I told him it wasn't. I told him it looked like a tiny chocolate chip.