A rose. Again.

I suddenly realized I had entered my car without unlocking it. It wasn’t locked.

Acting on pure instinct, I got out of the car and jogged around the sidewalk as if I could catch whoever left it. It was stupid, I knew he would be long gone, but the unease in my chest pushed me forward anyway.

A small circle of girls slowed down their steps to stare at me.

“Is this not the Carters’ heir?”

I heard one of them say. I was interested in what they had to say about me, so I ...