Chapter 185: Godfather

The meeting had run longer than expected but thankfully, Ava had shoved a granola bar in my hand before I left the office like the capable, slightly terrifying woman she was.

By the time the car pulled up outside Astoria Primary, the sun was lower in the sky. The gates had already opened for dismissal, and parents were scattered along the sidewalk, chatting with teachers or waving at their kids from inside their cars.

I stepped out of the car, adjusting my coat and squinting against the light. That’s when I saw him. Atticus, sitting on one of the benches near the pickup area — legs swinging slightly, school bag resting neatly beside him and eating ice cream.

And next to him, holding a melting cone of vanilla ice cream like it was the most natural thing in the world, was Alex Wright.

His rugged build softened by the easy way he leaned back against the bench. A faded denim jacket draped over a plain white t-shirt, and a pair of jeans fit comfortably on his long legs. His brown hair was