After Liam went back to buy us tickets — only thirty this time, ten times fewer than he'd originally asked for — we wandered through the center, taking part in the various games and activities the kids had put together.

Despite our teasing, neither Liam or I got our faces painted. He did win me a small stuffed giraffe at the balloon dart game, and in return I won him a large stuffed polar bear. I'd played darts at Jessie's dive bar often enough to clean up nicely.

I wondered if Liam would turn disgruntled after I one-upped him at the game, but he accepted his prize with a delighted grin. All afternoon he pecked the bear's button nose to my lips and cheeks.

"If I can't kiss you directly, at least I can give you polar bear kisses," he said.

It was such a cute, childish gesture that it warmed my heart. For all that Liam called himself a sex-god rock star, he was also thoughtful and sweet.

I supposed I shouldn't have been surprised. Even from the start, when we'd first met behind those concert tents, he'd taken the time to reassure and encourage an insecure young women, a complete stranger.

After we'd spent about an hour playing games, we stopped to buy some food from the bake sale. There were slices of cake and pie, lemon tarts and cookies, along with a host of other sugary treats. I was torn between a slice of blueberry or cherry pie when I saw something that made my mouth water.

"Oh my god, they have double chocolate fudge brownies," I moaned in one breath. I slammed a handful of bills on the table, picked up a large square and took a bite. I moaned again, closing my eyes at the burst of chocolate on my tongue.

"Do you need a moment with that brownie?" Liam asked. "Should I leave the two of you alone?"

I didn't answer, just swallowed and sank my teeth into the soft deliciousness again.

"I suppose it's useless to ask if I can have a bite," Liam said.

"No sharing," I said in between mouthfuls. "Get your own."

"So that's your weakness, is it? Chocolate fudge brownies?"

"Mm-hm," I mumbled.

"Good to know."

The wicked glint in his eyes had me wondering what he was going to do with that knowledge. I had visions of chocolate sauce and naked skin. I hoped that was where his mind was going, too.

I'd just finished the square and wiped my mouth and sticky fingers when a familiar deep voice spoke up from behind me.

"Should've known I'd find you here."

Morris appeared next to me with his girlfriend Natalie by his side. A little stab of pain shot through me, but it quickly passed. I gave the two of them a bright, genuine smile.

"It's good to see you guys," I said. "Are you here for fun or to volunteer?"

"I'm technically working." Natalie clung to Morris's beefy arm. Her long hair was pulled back in a sophisticated braid, which suited her classical, feminine features. Last I'd heard, she'd gotten a part-time job working at the center. "Morris is here for moral support."

Morris cocked his head. "How many brownies you eat so far?"

"Just the one," I said. "But give me time. I only found them thirty seconds ago."

We both went in for a hug at the same time. Natalie beamed, overjoyed that her scheme to reunite us had worked, and that we'd stayed in touch.

When we pulled back, Liam held his hand out to Morris. Morris took it with a careful nod, no doubt remembering Liam's curt behavior. I eyed their clasped hands to see if they either one of them squeezed too tightly in a show of aggressive dominance, but it was simply a firm handshake.

"Natalie, this is Liam," I introduced, knowing that she hadn't yet met him. "He's my new guitarist and—"

I paused there, wondering whether to say it.

Liam held his hand out to Natalie as well. "I'm her boyfriend," he completed for me.

I bit my lip to suppress a giddy smile from spreading ear to ear.

As our two lovers shook hands, Morris stared at me, his eyes inscrutable.

I had to wonder what he was thinking. Was I betraying Harper's memory by dating someone else? Was he worried I'd get hurt just like last time? Was he happy for me, proud of me, that I'd finally moved on?

You could rarely tell with Morris.

"Fraternizing, hm?" was all he said.

"Guess so." I met his stare head on, not backing down. Everyone knew sleeping with a band member was a bad idea, but I didn't care. It was different with me and Liam.

Morris's lips quirked into the barest of smiles. "Good for you."

I returned his smile, relieved he approved. Not that I needed his approval, but he was one of my oldest friends. His support meant a lot to me.

"Ohmigod," Natalie said, eyes wide with recognition. "You're Liam Knight." Her breathing turned labored and heavy.

"Nat's got a thing for rock stars," Morris said wryly.

She let out a small squeak. "I don't mean to freak out. I just really really liked your band." All traces of sophistication left her as she gaped at Liam.

"Thanks.” His smile almost sad. "It's good to meet a fan."

"I was so upset when you guys broke up, I think I cried for three days while playing your albums on repeat a billion times—"

"Nat," Morris said gently.

She snapped her jaw shut with a flush.

"She gets a bit exuberant sometimes," Morris said with an indulgent look. "That's why I love her."

They shared a sappy smile. Normally it would have made me blanch with discomfort. Now, with Liam by my side, I only felt happy for them.

"The concert is starting soon," Morris said once he pulled his attention away from his girlfriend. "You three go ahead. I'm helping the kids backstage."

Morris looked directly at me, capturing my gaze.

"Make sure Nat gets a a front row seat?" His voice carried a heavy weight.

"Sure." I blinked at his odd tone. "Front and center."

He nodded and left.

"Let's get going," I said. I assumed Morris was up to something, even if I didn't know exactly what, and I wanted to take my duty seriously.

The youth center had a small gymnasium with a raised platform at the far end they used for events like this. Some volunteers had set up rows of cheap and dented aluminum folding chairs to face the stage. People were already trickling in.

I hurried to snag four chairs right in the middle of the front row, three for us and one saved for when Morris got back.

“Morris really loves those kids,” Natalie said as we took our seats. “I think that little rock band did more for him than he even realizes. He’s such a caretaker type, you know?”

He always had been. Morris and Harper had been the self-appointed mom and dad of our neighborhood. They would take neglected kids under their wings, make sure to keep them away from trouble like gangs and drugs.

They used to joke about which one of them was the mom.

“Yeah,” I said, a lump forming in my throat. “He is.”

I caught sight of the ticket girl, Anya, the one hiding behind her hair. Her little face peeped out from behind a makeshift backstage curtain hung between two rolling coat racks. The poor thing looked nervous, still ducking her head so her hair covered half her face.

A shy lead singer. It wasn’t unheard of. Some of the most reticent musicians came alive on stage.

“How many times have these kids performed?” I asked.

“They’ve done a handful of concerts, maybe close to a dozen,” Natalie said. “We’re always on the lookout for opportunities to show off what they can do.”

Less than a dozen times. No wonder she was nervous.

Morris appeared behind the girl’s shoulder, towering over her tiny frame. He crouched low, getting down on her level, and spoke quiet words. She listened to him with rapt attention.

Her fearful wide eyes soon transformed into a look of excitement and near glee. She gave him a thumbs up, which he returned. He patted her on the back with a large hand and disappeared behind the curtain.

Anya seemed to take a deep breath then strutted onto the stage. The rest of her bandmates followed behind her and took their places, all of them with expressions of both nerves and anticipation.

“Thank you for coming out to our fundraiser,” Anya spoke quickly into the microphone in nearly one breath. “Everyone here at The Impact Youth Center appreciates your support and we all believe the arts are important and that all kids should have an outlet for their creativity.”

It was clearly a rehearsed speech and her words were rushed, but the sentiment was there.

“Before we start our concert, we want to thank a few people,” she continued.

Her voice trembled a bit, but the expression on her face wasn’t nervous or anxious. It looked like she was struggling to keep an ear-to-ear grin from spreading across her face.

“Natalie, could you come up here?” Anya asked, looking directly at her.

Beside me, Natalie looked taken aback. I assumed this wasn’t part of the planned performance. Maybe they were going to give her some sort of thank you gift or community award.

Natalie climbed the three stairs to reach the top of the platform. She went to Anya with a questioning smile.

I should have expected it. I don’t know why I didn’t put two and two together.

Morris came out from behind the curtain.

He slowly walked up behind Natalie without her noticing.

He got down on one knee and pulled a small box from his pocket.

Anya grinned and pointed to Natalie that she should turn around.

She did.

Morris lifted the box and opened the lid, displaying a gorgeous diamond engagement ring.

“Will you marry me?” he said simply.

Natalie clapped both hands over her mouth, muffling a choked squeal. Her whole body shook, shoulders heaving with heavy gasps. She looked from Morris to the ring and back again.

“That a yes?” Morris asked, chocolate brown eyes twinkling.

Natalie’s face crumpled as she burst into tears, nodding her head furiously.

The entire audience ooh'ed and aww'd, clapped and cheered.

My heart stilled in my chest.

Morris had proposed to Natalie.

My nails dug into my palms.

He was engaged.

I let out a slow, shuddering breath.

He was going to marry the love of his life.

I stood from my chair quickly, nearly toppling it over. Liam looked to me, alarmed.

We’d always planned on Morris being the best man at mine and Harper’s wedding.

We’d always planned on Harper being the best man at his.

But Harper was dead.

The crack inside me splintered open. Inky black sludge poured out, so thick and viscous it felt like I would suffocate on it.

Liam whistled. “Ballsy move, doing it in front of everyone like that. What if she said no?”

“She never would have said no,” I said numbly.

Liam eyed me, taking in my shallow breathing, noticing the half-moon indentations my nails had left in my palms. He pressed his lips together.

“You’re not happy for them,” he said in an almost accusing voice.

“No. I am. It’s just—”

Harper was never going to stand at Morris’s wedding. Morris was never going to stand at ours.

Morris was getting the chance Harper and I never got.

Because Harper was dead.

I rubbed at my nail polish with my thumb, feeling every thin, harsh chip.

“I need to take off,” I said. “I’m going to go home and change. This dress is chaffing me.”

Liam frowned at me.

“I’ll see you at rehearsals tomorrow.” I tried to keep my tone even, but the words came out numbly.

I didn’t wait for Liam’s response. I turned on my heel and ran out.

I ran as I always did whenever the past caught up to me.

I ran as if I could outrun my feelings.