Max hadn't realized how badly his actions would backfire. He'd assumed Aaron would get what he wanted with Lacy and remain silent to avoid trouble. Lacy was angry, but at least she didn't suspect Max's involvement with Aaron. She trusted his feigned devotion too much, unaware of his true motives.

The police interrogation was easy to navigate. He recounted everything from that night, omitting the twenty or so minutes he and Lacy spent on the fifth floor retrieving the pictures. He hoped Lacy had the sense to destroy the camera's SIM card to prevent it being traced back to her; he might have to remind her later.

Unfortunately, his plan failed. Aaron was clearly furious about not getting Lacy—his anger was palpable.

Max had tried. He couldn't be blamed for Aaron's self-righteousness. However, with graduation imminent, Aaron's chance with Lacy was likely lost. Keeley could no longer be used as a pawn to distract Lacy from her current interest. Max would find another solution. Lacy was destined to be his.

Aaron's mood worsened as graduation approached, reminding him of his disappointing first graduation. His parents hadn't attended due to a prior commitment. He seemed to be the only student without a family member present, but he was too jaded to care.

He saw Keeley embracing her father across the football field where the ceremony was held. Her eyes shone with excitement, her smile radiant. He was drawn to her, weaving through the crowd to reach her. She spotted him and waved enthusiastically.

"Aaron! We graduated! Can you believe it?"

Her expression turned confused when she saw he was alone. "Where's your family?"

"They didn't come," he replied flatly.

Keeley was horrified. "The most important day of your life so far, and they didn't come?!" She pulled him toward her father. "Unacceptable. You're coming to dinner and celebrating with us. You only graduate from high school once!"

"That really isn't necessary," he began, though he appreciated her concern.

"Shush. Dad! Can Aaron come to dinner with us?"

Robert's sympathetic smile indicated he understood Aaron's situation. "We'd be happy to have you."

"Thank you, Mr. Hall," Aaron said politely.

Before dinner, Keeley insisted her father take pictures of Aaron, and several of them together. His favorite—which he kept in his wallet for years—showed Keeley playfully making bunny ears while he smiled, his arm around her.

Dinner was enjoyable, even though the restaurant was a chain establishment he wouldn't normally frequent. The food was mediocre, but the company more than compensated. He almost felt like part of their family; it was a unique experience.

This time, however, he wouldn't be so fortunate. His parents wouldn't attend (though he didn't care), and given his silence since Keeley's disastrous birthday, he doubted a similar invitation.

Guilt-ridden, he didn't know how to face Keeley. She was unaware of his role in her ordeal or his near-succumbance to her intoxicated advances, but he couldn't bring himself to confront her. Robert's call, informing him Keeley had awakened late Sunday afternoon, provided agonizing hours for reflection and worry.

He concluded he needed to end things with Keeley. If he maintained contact, Lacy wouldn't give up, and her next attempt might be even worse. He couldn't risk it. The best course of action was to treat Keeley as a fleeting interest. He'd lived twenty-seven years without her; he could survive a few more. He would let her pursue her college life without his involvement. She deserved that.

At graduation, he saw Keeley's ponytail bobbing as she wrote in her notebook. Was she taking notes or doodling? His heart ached. He could count the times he'd see her before graduation on one hand. Wishing he had a picture to remember her by, he discreetly took a photo. One turned out well; she had a slight smile as she tapped her pencil. Perfect.

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