Ever closed the door slowly behind him.

  “Taylor?”

  She stood there in her usual black denim jeans and band T-shirt. She had her apron on too. It was like no time had passed at all.

  “Did ya miss me?” She said, grinning. “Hey! What did you push me for?” She leered at Logan. Ever didn’t even see him standing off to the side.

  “I’m pushing you so that you two have more space for your little reunion.” He gestured towards the customer area where Ever stood dumbstruck.

  Taylor shuffled out and stood in front of Ever.

  “You didn’t answer my question, did you--”

  Ever threw his arms around the first person he ever met, enveloping her.

  “You’re OK,” he said, fighting to keep his voice from shuddering. He rested his cheek in her hair. He breathed in the familiar scent of Fem Fresh - not from himself - taking her in. “You’re safe.”

  “Dude,” Taylor squeaked. “You’re crushing me.” Ever’s embrace lingered before letting her step back. “I was only gone for a month or so.”

  “Six weeks,” Ever said. “You were gone for six weeks.”

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  “Yeah well I had my reasons." She raised a hand, fingernails painted black. "I was applying for overseas schools, I needed a break...” her thumb and index finger were folded down. She hovered over her middle finger. “There was also…” she looked at him, saying something with her eyes.

  He nodded. “You were held captive last week.” He took a step towards her. As if in lock step, she took one back.

  She looked away, brushing a stray strand of her raven-black her behind her ear. She looked back at her uncle, who had been watching the entire exchange, eyes dark and unreadable.

  “Ever,” Taylor said quietly, taking a half-step back towards him. “I was never held captive.”

  “What?” Ever muttered. “But the photos…” He took his phone out, found the unknown number and showed her the screen. He watched the procession of emotions across her face: controlled humor, slight regret, then lastly, pity. She took her phone out, tapped a couple times, then waited. Ever’s phone started ringing; it was the unknown number that had been messaging him.

  “I’m sorry,” Taylor said, “it was just a joke. That’s why the ransom was only 50 dollars. I didn’t think you would actually make the transfer.” She slipped her hand into her pocket and handed him a $50 note.

  Ever stared at the yellow bank note in his hand. The world fell out from underneath him, leaving him with an emptiness that crushed his chest.

  “Ever?”

  He dragged his eyes away from the money and looked at her. She searched his eyes, imploring.

  Logan cleared his throat loudly. “We might have to continue this another time.” He gestured again with his head, this time at the clock on the wall. On cue, a customer walked in.

  “Morning,” Zoe said brightly, looking at everyone in the shop, “too early for some ice cream?”