A Fair Trade

While watching Emma enjoy the desserts, Emily received a message on her phone from Alex: "Enjoy your sweet treats." She started to type a response: "Thank you. How are you doing?" But before pressing send, she deleted it, thinking it sounded too distant and polite. Instead, she took a picture of Emma with cream on the tip of her nose and crumbs all over her lips with Andy sitting next to her with a slight smile.

Alex was sitting at the back seat of the car and staring at his phone. The status kept saying "typing," but nothing came through. He waited with a frown slowly forming on his face, his attention glued to the screen. Finally, the message arrived. It was the picture of Emma and Andy, accompanied by the message, "Thanks, we miss you. [heart]" Alex curled his lips, feeling a warmth spread through him. He could almost hear their laughter and feel their presence.