Page 127 of Best Friends for Never

She finally settles on marshmallow and then moves on to the toppings, loading her bowl with four different kinds of candy and enough chocolate syrup to satisfy even the sweetest of tooths.

I fill my cup with vanilla, then add peppermint candies and nothing else. It’s always been my favorite because it reminds me of Parker.

“You mind if we sit outside and enjoy this?” I ask her as I’m paying.

“Not one bit.”

“Thanks, Jules. You’re the best.”

I toss her another wink, which earns me another smack.

We carry our stuff outside, Astrid and Clifford not far behind, then settle at one of the many tables on the sidewalk.

Even though I thought my reward for suffering through my own film would mean something entirely different, I’ll give it to Parker that this is a nice alternative.

“So,” Astrid says, taking a bite from her treat. “When do you leave?”

Those four words are all it takes to suck the goodness from the evening, a somber cloud settling over us in an instant.

Parker’s shoulders tense, and I’m suddenly not hungry.

“Early Wednesday,” I tell her. Vince originally had me flying out on Tuesday, but I made him push it back until the last possible second. I wanted as much time with Parker as I could get. “I have to be back in LA for a meeting that afternoon.”

“Must be awfully important if you’re cutting your trip short.”

It’s not a dig or a snide remark, just a genuine statement.

“I can’t say much about the project, but it has the potential to be big.”

“That’s great. Really. I’m so proud of you, son.”

My throat tightens with emotion, and I have to look away so I don’t do something completely irrational like start crying.

I didn’t realize how badly I needed those words right now.

Returning to LA was inevitable, but I didn’t expect to feel so torn about it or get so attached to everyone again. It’s going to make leaving even harder. I’ll miss everyone here, especially this woman before me, who has always treated me like her own.

“Thanks,” I mutter. “That means a lot, Astrid.”

She pats my hand, squeezing it tightly before letting go.

“Well, that was a mood sucker, huh? Let’s talk about something fun. Cliff, tell the kids about that thing you showed me in the bedroom last night.”

“Mother!” Parker screams, and evenIwant to crawl into a hole and hide right now.

“What?” Astrid asks innocently. “I just meant a photo taken at the Falls.” She grins. “Why, what did you think I meant, you little perv?”

Parker sighs loudly in relief, but while the lightness of the evening mostly returns, a solemn cloud still lingers in the distance, ready to bathe us in darkness at any moment.

We say good night to Astrid and Clifford and make our way back to Parker’s.

We’re quiet as we walk inside and barely exchange words as we get ready for bed.

I slide into my side of the bed, and she slips into hers, crawling toward me and wrapping herself around me.

I kiss the top of her head, and she sighs.

“Thank you for tonight,” she says into the darkness of the room.

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