• An autumn forest background with an angel made from stone.
    227
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    Grief was as new to Lacey as having seasons. Autumn approached faster than she anticipated it would. She wasn’t prepared for change of any kind. The passing of her older sister, Maisie, had rocked her to the core. Maisie’s death was not the plan. The two women planned to grow old together. They would conquer ...
  • A street blanketed with snow between two buildings and one tree. A single bundled up person is shown.
    161
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    Lacey was as excited as a child on Christmas morning. New York City was a fluffy winter scene. The first snowfall of the season in Manhattan brought the outside world to a dead stop. The streets were lined with kids playing and adults shoveling sidewalks. Quiet fell on the normal bustle of the Big Apple. ...
  • Pine tree branches strung with gold beads and glass ornaments lit by white lights.
    150
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    The countdown to Christmas was on, and nothing about Lacey felt festive. New York City shined bright in colorful lights and decor. After eight hours at the bar, it was the last sight she wanted to see. Each store she passed on the walk home was bustling with tourists and locals alike. The excitement for ...
  • A hand holding a pink paper heart on fire with a bright orange flame.
    122
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    A routine could be a blessing but also a curse. Lacey found herself at the height of a constant work rotation. She taught ballroom dance in the morning and worked as a bartender at night. Her world appeared so structured and small. Despite all the rigidness in her schedule, she made time for her evening ...
  • A black base with a crushed clay heart.
    98
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    Six weeks had passed since Lacey hung up on Brooke after finding out she kissed Reuben. It resembled a lifetime, given how inseparable they were before this happened. Lacey felt lost without her safe person by her side. The two had spent every moment together, and one fight had demolished their pair. It was her ...
  • A dark street with cars and a building to the left with a neon sign that reads bar.
    74
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    The clamor of her ringing cell phone earned a groan from the hungover blonde. With a swipe of a hand, the device sailed to the floor to disarm the blaring ringtone. Shifting away from the noise, she peered out the window, trying to tell the time. Her estimated guess, was midday by the bright sun ...
  • A dark bar with shadows of people and two pink neon signs that read bar.
    23
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    How did Lacey secure employment with such ease? The interaction with the bar manager left her stunned. Her new boss, Nick, appeared unfazed by her quick hire and was more relieved about having an extra pair of hands. He might have been kidding around. It seemed unbelievable. Although Lacey harbored suspicions, she would see this ...