CHAPTER FIFTY ONE**ALEXANDER**Thursday morning the crew showed up early. Sophia and I arrived at the lot just after eight. Hard hats on, breath visible in the cold air. Dessa handed us both updated site plans and pointed out where the first cuts would happen.“I want to watch the excavator start,” Sophia said, standing close enough that our arms touched. “Then I need to leave for the foundation board, but I’ll be back by three if you’re still here.”I nodded, but inside I felt that familiar pull. She didn’t have to come at all, yet here she was, boots in the dirt, making time. “Stay as long as you can. I like having you here when things begin.”She looked up at me, eyes steady. “I like being here. With you. It feels different when we’re doing this together instead of me just hearing about it later.”The excavator fired up. We stood side by side as the first bite of earth came out. Sophia’s hand slipped into mine without either of us saying anything. Her fingers were cold, but the gr
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