Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Two
Malachi's POV
I pulled up to Sophie's school at exactly three thirty.
She came out with her backpack slung over one shoulder. Head down. Walking slower than usual.
Something was wrong.
She got in the car. Didn't look at me. Just stared out the window.
"How was school?" I asked.
"Fine."
That single word told me everything. It wasn't fine.
"Want to talk about it?"
"Not really."
I drove in silence for a minute. Then said, "Ice cream?"
She glanced at me. "It's Tuesday."
"So?"
"You never get ice cream on Tuesdays."
"There's a first time for everything."
A small smile. "Okay."
I drove to her favorite place. A small shop that made everything fresh. We went inside. She ordered chocolate chip cookie dough. I got black coffee.
We sat at a corner booth. She picked at her ice cream. Not eating. Just moving it around with her spoon.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Nothing."
"Sophie."
