Oscar nced around the amusement park. “You really do care about this ce.”


    I smiled. “If you need something, just say it.”


    He nodded and headed into the park, with me following behind.


    “Why’d you leave the group?” he asked as we walked.


    “It’s your guys’ chat. I don’t talk much in there, and besides, when I’m around, you’d have to censor your jokes,” I said, beingpletely honest.


    There had been times before when they’d made some off-color jokes, and Alvin had reminded them to be careful.


    Back then, Alvin had said, “Watch yourselves, my wife’s in the group.”


    That “wife” had made me read the message over and over, feeling like I was the luckiest person in the world.


    “You really think ahead.” Oscar’s voice broke me from my thoughts.


    I didn’t respond, and Oscar stopped in front of a roller-skating car. “Can I try this?”


    “Go for it.” I said it, and sure enough, he jumped in and started skating around.


    “Hey, this is fun!” Oscar had turned into a kid.


    I just watched him in silence. After a couple ofps, he stopped and asked, “You really don’t want to be with Alvin anymore?”


    I leaned against a nearby pole. “I’m a bit of a clean freak. Didn’t you know that?”


    Oscar spun around to face me. “Don’t you think letting go so easily is just handing him over to someone else?”


    “I’ve always been merciful,” I said.


    My words made Oscarugh. He paused the roller-skate car and got off. “So, after you left the group, did you see what everyone was talking about?”


    “I don’t want to know,” I said bluntly.


    But Oscar couldn’t resist. “They’re all saying that by letting go so easily, it just means you didn’t love Alvin enough.”


    I nodded slightly. “Maybe.”


    “Do you know how Alvin reacted in the group?” Oscar asked, looking at me with amusement.


    I thought for a second. “He left the group.”


    Oscar gave me a thumbs up. “On that point, you two are really well-matched.”


    “Now he’s more suited to a red rose,” I said, just as Myra ran up.


    “Zoe, the takeout’s here. Are you eating?” Myra asked.


    I turned to Oscar. “If you don’t have anything else to say, you can stay and y around. I’m going to grab a bite.”


    “Go ahead. I’ll stay here and y for a bit.”


    Oscar was sometimes like a big kid, but since he and Alvin were so close, he was also close to me. He didn’t try to change my mind, he just asked what I was thinking and shared what I needed to know.


    “Zoe, you’re really something else,” Oscar called after me.


    I turned around. “What’s that supposed to mean?”


    “You actually liked Alvin’s post. Impressive!” Oscar gave me a thumbs up.


    I smiled faintly. “He posted it for me, so I had to let him know I saw it.”


    During the meal, Myra couldn’t resist asking, “Zoe, is Oscar sent by Mr. Dolton to ask you back?”


    “No, he just came to chat. Don’t overthink it. Honestly, at this point, no one would make a difference,” I said, which made Myra sigh.


    “Zoe, you really are ruthless. If it were me, I’d be wavering,” she said, impressed.


    “Everyone’s different. We all have our strengths,” I said, staring at my takeout. I wasn’t hungry, and just the thought of eating made me feel a little nauseous.


    Just then, my phone rang. It was Cameron. The lighting technicians had arrived.


    I told him to bring them in, then forced myself to eat a few bites. Even though I wasn’t hungry, if I didn’t eat something, I wouldn’t have the energy to run around dealing with work.


    Before I could finish, Cameron came in with the team. When I looked up and saw who was with them, I froze.


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