He smiled, a slow, knowing grin that crinkled the corners of his eyes, just like mine did when I was about to say something mischievous.

“You recognized me? I’m telling your mother she lost her bet.”

A laugh bubbled out of me before I could stop it, and the next thing I knew, I was running towards him, arms wide, my feet barely touching the misty ground, and then… I crashed into him with an embrace that felt long overdue.

He felt solid, warm—real. He smelled ...