Chapter 156

Blake pulled the car over, not far from the dessert shop. Zachary put on his jacket and tugged at the collar. He said, "Wait for me in the car." "Okay," Jessica replied, smiling. Zachary stepped outside, reaching in to pinch her cheek before closing the door. The city welcomed its first snowfall before the New Year. The heater in the car was turned on, melting any snowflake that landed on the windows. Through the fogged-up window, Jessica watched as Zachary walked steadily toward the dessert shop. Against the backdrop of the bright lights, his tall figure was silhouetted against the night. "Blake, what was Zachary like?" she asked. Blake wasn't particularly chatty. This was the first time Jessica had started a conversation with him. "Mrs. Jones, before you came along, Mr. Jones never talked to me, aside from telling me where to go." Blake looked at Jessica through the rearview mirror and noticed the grin on her face. A smile spread across his face as he added, "Mr. Jones is a