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“I know.”

“So do you.”

“I know.”

“Do you plan to listen to anything I say?”

“Probably not.”

For half a second, I almost smile.

Eighteen years ago, I would have reached across the island and taken her hand.

I don’t.

We aren’t those people anymore.

Hayley is Sage’s mother.

She is the woman I once loved more than anything.

But I don’t know who she became during the eighteen years we were apart.

She doesn’t know me either.

We need time.

After everything stolen from us, I refuse to rush the parts we still have a chance to get right.

“You should eat,” I say.

Hayley looks down at the Danish.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Arthur will take that as a personal invitation.”

She glances toward the security room.

“He already asked twice.”

“He won’t ask a third time.”

“He said he was giving me five minutes.”

“That was generous.”

Hayley pulls the plate closer and takes a bite.

I pour coffee.

She never liked the taste of coffee.

This one adds cream and drinks it without sugar.

One small fact.

There are thousands more I don’t know.