COLEEN

By the time the last balloon had deflated and the final crumbs of pizza were thrown away, the apartment was quiet again. Jason and Logan had helped haul out the trash before stumbling off, still bickering about who’d cheated at charades.

Alicia had given me a knowing hug on her way out, whispering, “You did good, birthday boy’s girl.”

Mark had clapped Hayden on the back and promised to text him later.

Now, it was just the two of us.

Hayden leaned against the kitchen ...