Chapter 157

Judah stepped between the two-by-fours that comprised the wall closest to the school. The other three sides were done, though the windows needed framing and installation, and she remembered from earlier there was some interior work to be done, like trim and all of that fancy stuff she'd never imagined having in a house of her own—not that she'd own it, but it would feel like home once she had a chance to move into it. In the dim light it was hard to see his face, but she knew it was him by his walk, and she imagined he likely knew her, too, though he was probably confused. Still, she kept walking, almost as if she were in a dream. For a moment, she pondered that notion and thought she might awake and find herself back in her too-small bed at the Howards' place.

But she wasn't there—she was standing in the schoolyard at midnight, staring into forbidden blue eyes, praying this didn't end up being the biggest mistake she'd ever made but also knowing she was too involved now to care.