The apple in her hand was heavy and fragrant. As Sarah looked closer, she noticed a her name etched faintly into the skin.

Where had he even found this?

Maybe sensing her confusion, Zachary exined, "I had it made a few months ago. This was the only one that came out with your name fully visible."

"A few months ago?"

Sarah nced down at the apple again. Back then, things between them hadn''t fallen apart yet. He''d already been preparing for Christmas even then?

"Thanks. I... didn''t prepare anything for you."

"That''s okay," Zachary said softly. "What matters is that the peace apple made it into your hands. That''s more than enough. You being safe-that''s the best gift I could ask for."

Sarah couldn''t help butugh. "Where''d you pick up such cheesy lines?"

Zachary looked a little embarrassed. "Steven gave me a notebook. It''s full of these."

"Oh? What else is in there? Got anything even cheesier?"

He looked up at the sky, then pointed. "You know what the difference is between you and the moon?"

Sarah yed along. "What?"

His lips twitched. "The moon''s up in the sky, and you... you''re in my heart."

She made a face. "Okay, wow. That''s... something."

"Just ''something''?" Zachary stepped a little closer. "Aren''t you tired?"

"What?" She blinked. "Not really."

"But you''ve been running around in my heart all day."

Sarah groaned. "Stop. That has to be the worst one yet."

Zachary grinned, undeterred. "I''ve seen you in so many different ways. But there''s still one I haven''t seen."

She gave an awkward chuckle. "You really don''t have to-"

"No, you have to guess," he insisted, still serious.

"Okay, fine. What haven''t you seen?"

Zachary leaned in, closing thest bit of space between them. "You. In a wedding dress. Walking toward me."

Their noses were practically touching. Sarah''s toes curled in her shoes. Was this reallying out of Zachary''s mouth?

"You got all of that from Steven''s notebook?"

He nodded without shame. "Every word."

Sarah stared at him, then gave a mock shiver. "So that''s the kind of stuff Scarlett likes, huh? I guess won''t need any seasoning in my food for the next three days. That was way too much cheese  s

"Alright..." Zachary looked genuinely disappointed.

Sarah widened her eyes. "Wait, you actually thought those lines would win me over?"

"Well... Scarlett always seems moved whenever Steven says things like that."

"Then maybe stick with asking him for advice," she said sarcastically.

She dropped the apple into her purse. "Anyway, thanks for the apple, Mr. Reynolds. But I really need to head home now."

It was gettingte. Melvin had already called her two or three times, reminding her toe home.

"I''ll drive you."

"No need. I brought my car." Her tone left no room for argument.

Zachary gave a small nod, hiding his disappointment. "Well, I''m heading out too. I''ll follow."

On the highway, Sarah drove her

Cadic steadily. In her rearview mirror she could see the ck

Gayenne, keeping a respectfut distance. Not too close. Not too far. Just enough.  s

When she pulled into her driveway, the Cayenne didn''t leave. Its headlights stayed on, quietly

belongs to s.new

Only after she stepped inside and shut the door did he finally turn off the lights.

illuminating the front door t

Sarah leaned against the wall. Slowly, she took the apple out of her purse and held it tight.

Her vision started to blur.

She had told herself she''d forget everything about Zachary Reynolds.

But in that moment... she wasn''t so sure.fncf89 Updates are released by Find_Novel(./fncf89