Now she understood that love was not the same as trust.
Love could survive almost anything.
Trust had to walk home slowly.
So she did not promise forever.
She simply left her hand in his.
Leo rolled his eyes.
“Adults are weird.”
Then he ran ahead.
Maya laughed.
“Yes.”
Ethan watched Leo disappear toward the fountain.
“He’s incredible.”
“He is.”
“You did that.”
“We did.”
Ethan looked at her.
“I didn’t do much.”
“You gave him terrible dinosaur genetics.”
He smiled.
For several moments they walked silently.
Then Maya said:
“One day.”
“What?”
“One day, I might forgive you.”
Ethan nodded.
“I can wait.”
“No disappearing while you do.”
“Never again.”
She studied his face.
“You can’t promise never.”
“You’re right.”
He thought for a moment.
“Then I promise something else.”
“What?”
“If I have to leave, you’ll know where I’m going.”
Maya nodded.
