BRAIDED BROOD

d out a small jewelry box her parents had given her as a child and opened it, t

ing of texts she'd sent her fat

re you

ince I've seen you; whe

versary of Mom's dea

x down, plugged in her phone, and

mausoleum, clutching a small bouquet. At the same time,

ys been kept, but when she arrived, the glass shelf was complete

hat used to be here?" She sai

u not know? The payment on this space is five years overdue n

hrew it away?" Emily asked, he

n't throw it away; we

yments?" Emily's voice rose, thick with indignation. "Do peopl

g to maintain a professional distance

do we owe you?

housand

ing like a physical blow. "WH

pted. Jeffery stepped between them, cutting off the escalating argument. "Let's c

er's photo. Then, he saw Emily kneeling on the concrete before the careta

e, jabbing a finger at him, "Sir! You have to pay for the food. You can't even say you're sorry?" The stark contr

still in her hand, the heavy rain blurring her vision as memories of her mother came flooding back. After a l

ege, right? That was your wish, so I'm going to go to college. I ca

s pendant tightly, tears

think I can go to college. Forget everything I just said. I'm sorry, Mom. I only said that because... because I'm goin

instead. Breaking the silence, Jasmine surprised him by presenting her finished mast

g?" He asked

wedding. You'r

not g

c, searching his face. "A

there anyway,"

tepped closer to him. "Huxley

hat bot

t come with me

do you any

rry for asking

y knew the answer. Why ask

eager savings. "All right... all I ne

er he received a call earlier. He stepped out to g

exchange, I need the cash up front.

ally something else. This isn't what I'm expecting you to say

lking about?" sh

fiancée for

idened. "What?

going to get another chance to earn so

ed a fiancée f

settled down before he dies. One of my relatives is getting married today, and today is the last day my

o get tangled up in your life, but I will agree to this for tonight. In exchange, if

e are engaged, we should introduce our

ey shook hands an

gnore his proximity. Huxley leaned in slightly, breaking the silence. "Gosh! You are pe

ly snapped, shifting away. "

usted her seat, and said nothing. "Forget this act of yours," he went on. "You'll be my fiancée

face, silently warning him to keep his distance.