Michelle froze for a moment before breaking into a warm, almost yful smile.


    “Don’t be silly, Zoe,” she teased gently. “You can’t let one bad apple, like that jerk Alvin, make you give up on men entirely. Sure, there are bad guys out there, but there are plenty of good ones, too.”


    She was in her fifties, but still spoke with the sharpness and wit of someone much younger. I couldn’t help but chuckle.


    get the message.


    “Yeah, there are good guys, but right now, I’m just not interested. I need time,” I said, hoping she’d


    I didn’t want her pushing me into anything I wasn’t ready for.


    She chuckled, her eyes twinkling. “Fair enough.”


    And then-just as quickly as she’d let it go-she added, “But remember, don’t wait too long. You don’t want all the good ones to be snatched up by someone else.”


    Iughed again, and so did she.


    “You’re so beautiful and kind, Zoe. Any man who gets to be with you is really lucky. He must’ve done something good in his past life to deserve you.”


    Herpliment made me ufortable. It was ttering, but it also set my nerves on edge. I smiled awkwardly and said, “Well, since I’m so great, only the very best will do for me. Until that guy shows up, I’m happy to wait.”


    “Exactly!” Michelle agreed wholeheartedly. “Never settle. Don’t rush just because you’ve been hurt. You deserve someone who really values you.”


    Thatst part was clearly aimed at me and Josh.


    I decided to be blunt about it. “I never settle. If I choose someone, he’ll be the best. I’m not in a rush, and I don’t make decisions on a whim.”


    I made it clear to Michelle that my choices were always carefully thought out, never impulsive-even when it came to giving up on Alvin.


    Michelle studied my face but didn’t say anything more.


    I had been by her side for ten years. She had practically watched me grow up, so how could she not understand what kind of person I was?


    “I see,” she finally said. “Good. As long as you know what


    you want.”


    We ate in silence after that, and just when I thought the conversation was over, Michelle asked, “Did you go back to your parents’ hometown recently?”


    I looked up, surprised.


    “Alvin told me,” Michelle exined. “He’s still worried about you.”


    She smiled softly and added, “Even if you two aren’t together anymore, you grew up together. You’ll always be family.”


    “Yeah,” I responded quietly.


    “Why did you go back? I remember your parents said when they came to Seastone, they sold the house, and there aren’t


    many rtives left there,” Michelle asked carefully.


    I paused for a moment, thinking about how to exin. “When my dad was still alive, he used to talk about it. He said he wanted to take me there one day. I went to fulfill his wish, and to see the ce where I was born.”


    It was the truth, and there was no reason to hide it.


    “Did you find anything meaningful there?” she asked.


    For some reason, Josh popped into my mind first, followed by the little courtyard and thendlord.


    “Things have changed,” I said, my voice soft.


    I didn’t want to mention the details anymore. After all, they had nothing to do with Michelle.


    “Twenty years,” Michelle murmured.


    I had been so young when my parents brought me here that I didn’t even remember the ce. It felt like a lifetime ago.


    “Just let us know where you’re going next time, okay? We really worry about you,” Michelle said, her toneced with concern.


    “I’m sorry,” I apologized, feeling guilty.


    “Don’t be, darling. It’s not your fault,” she said, but I knew what she meant.