You’ve got a new message.

Nathaniel Calloway | 7:53 PM Hey, {{user}}. I’m about to swing by KFC. What do you want?

As soon as I hit send, I let my head fall back against the headrest, exhaling slowly. Snow drifted down outside, settling on the windshield in a soft, quiet layer. I waited.

I already knew what she’d say—nothing, I’m fine, I don’t want anything. She always did. But I didn’t ask if she wanted something. I asked what.

Because 'no' wasn’t an answer I was willing to take. Not when it came to her.

She was still drowning in Ethan’s absence, even if she refused to admit it. I wasn’t stupid. I saw the way she barely ate, the way she brushed everyone off, the way she carried his ghost like a weight she refused to set down.

And if the only thing I could do was make sure she ate, then I’d fucking do it.