I had already seen. Danial's grand, foolish promises to Judi were just no

ssional ties to Los Angeles. I packed my laptop away and looked out at the

Ismael, their voices urgent as they came through

" Danial c

und. I kept my ey

" Ismael said, hi

ression unreadable. "The

ing my pickup on the other side. "Yes, I'm on

standing in front of me

al said, his voi

ivated over the past two weeks wa

. "Is it because of Judi? We know we messed up. We were ju

er?" I asked, a small, humo

e always had us to yourself. Now there'

lade, but they couldn't pierce

e?" I asked, genuinely curious. "Your relat

ael insisted. "You're...

"No, Ismael. I don't. I'm your fri

a physical blow. They

desperate resolve. "I love you, Angelina," he said, the wor

me, his eyes wide. "Me too," he w

, after all the pain, they chose n

t whisper. "A long time ago. But you killed it. Both of you. With

und them. "Th

eady to take my sing

," I said, w

care of Judi. She needs you." The words were l

high-pitched wail, even from a distance. She'd locked herself out of the

he phone, then at

o go. We'll fix this, Ange. I promise. We'

her, again. It was t

ttling over me. They would always choose the d

one last time. A

They'll always choose

ut a sing

n have

mael's number. I deleted their contacts. I wi

not looking back. The house was sold. The friendshi