When she returned, she wore an apologetic smile. “It was really nice meeting all of you, but I have to go now,” she said, gathering her things. “Thanks for everything, Jayden.”

He watched her leave, feeling a strange mix of happiness and sadness. The day had flown by, and he realized he wasn’t quite ready for it to end.

Later that evening, as Jayden returned home, the warmth of his time with Rose lingered, but it was soon overshadowed.

When Jayden walked into the ...