As she walked up the dirt road, Winter squinted against the sun, trying to see if anyone was around. The farm was far enough from the city that they always made sure to stack up on errands before heading out. It just wasn't worth it to make multiple trips.

So when they were going out, they were all going out. Winter paused for a moment, hesitating in the middle of the dusty road. She should have called before coming; they would have waited for her. Or at least Ze'ev would have. Or maybe Scarlet. Hell, even her grandmother wouldn't have minded staying behind. Michelle always said that they were family now and told Winter to come over more often.

Craning her neck, Winter tried to see if she could spot the silver truck Scarlet was so proud of. Though, in all honesty, Winter wasn't sure why.

Ze'ev would sometimes complain to her how it always broke down or wouldn't start or something along those lines. But then Scarlet would give him that look, and he'd shut up right away. But I know you love it, so it's good enough for me, he'd say and then kiss her and Winter would swoon—

Her thoughts were interrupted as a figure came out from behind the barn. She was still too far away to see their face, but Winter would recognize that hoodie anywhere.

"Scarlet!" Winter called, starting down the path again. Scarlet turned around, clearly startled as she almost dropped the basket she was carrying.

"Hey crazy," Scarlet said when Winter got close enough to hug her, "Or should I say stranger?"

Winter smiled apologetically. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Sorry. I've just been caught up with work and Aimery and—"

"It's okay, I get it," Scarlet said, ruffling her hair, "It's great to see you now. And hey, you're just in time for lunch."

Winter relaxed, feeling relieved. Ever since Ze'ev had defined his relationship with Scarlet, Winter could never be sure if she was ever overstepping.

At the beginning, when Ze'ev had just gotten the job at the farm, and was still using his street name, Wolf, he'd been living with Winter. They'd been staying in a motel for a while, living off the money Ze'ev had been getting from his street fights. But then Winter turned fourteen and got a job at a greasy fast food place and he decided it was time to turn his life around.

Which was easier said than done, considering his reputation. The moment anyone saw the tattoo on his arm, he was back on the streets, tossed out by people claiming they 'didn't want that kind of trouble'. Eventually, he landed a job with some road construction company and, between the two of them, they scraped together enough to rent a small, just barely livable apartment.

As tough as it was, that was one if the best times of Winter's life. They were both always exhausted, living off of ramen and pre-packaged meals, but it was a huge step up from the streets. It finally felt like their lives were turning around, like they were getting some control back.

Ze'ev never told her, but she knew that he went back to the fighting ring whenever things got tough. It scared her to see him get hurt, so it was such a relief when he met Scarlet.

Something had happened to her grandmother and she was out on the streets looking for her. Somehow—Ze'ev had never given up any details—they stumbled into each other and Ze'ev offered to help.

After she was found and everything was fine again, they offered Ze'ev a job and a place to stay. He'd only accepted the work, insisting on staying with Winter until she was able to be on her own.

Which happened a few years later, and by then, Ze'ev and Scarlet were practically married and planning on moving in together anyway.

Winter was incredibly happy for both of them, especially Ze'ev. She experienced firsthand the awful situation that he grew up in and was always so relieved that nothing terrible followed him into his future.

And yet, sometimes, when she had a moment to herself, Winter couldn't stop the feelings of loneliness and nostalgia that cropped up. Their life together had been surrounded by dire circumstances, but they had had each other, and Winter had never felt so at home with anyone since her father died.

Was it wrong to feel this way? Winter couldn't help but wonder about this as she followed Scarlet into the house. She often believed that there was nothing wrong with feeling a certain way, as long as she didn't act on it. Because feelings and emotions weren't as easy to control as actions. But then why did she feel like she was betraying those she loved?

"How 'bout a break?" Kai asked, leaning against the counter, his chin propped up by his hands.

Cinder gave him a look, swiping a strand of hair out of her face. "Kai, the cars aren't going to fix themselves."

He glanced down at the open hood of the car and shrugged. "Okay, okay, how about this: we watch one episode of whatever you want, and you can use me for free labour after." Kai waggled his eyebrows, making Cinder laugh.

"Please, it's never just one episode with you," she said, grabbing the wrench next to him, "And besides, you and cars? Your 'free labour' takes me twice as much time."

"Cinder…" Kai pleaded, tucking stray hairs behind her ear when she reached over for another tool.

"What is this?" Cinder asked incredulously, but she couldn't hold back a smile. "Am I just supposed to drop everything the moment you come in with your million-dollar-suits and let you sweep me off my feet?"

"Ideally?" Kai asked, grinning at her. "Yes."

"Stop it!" Cinder exclaimed, laughing as he stole a kiss.

Winter ducked behind the computer screen, hiding her smile. They were ridiculous sometimes, but it was nice seeing two people so in love. When she first started working at Cinder's garage, she was surprised at how open they were, even in front of other people. But, as Kai explained it, both of them had incredibly busy schedules and every moment together counted.

"Good evening, Madame Secretary."

Winter looked up to find Kai bowing jokingly in front of her desk.

"Mr. Future-President," she replied, flashing him a grin, "What can I do for you today?"

Kai smiled sheepishly, like he always did whenever someone mentioned his place in his father's company. "Do you, by any chance, have Cinder's schedule? Or, more specifically, the times when she is free in the upcoming weeks?"

"Winter, tell him nothing!" Cinder's shout came from under a car.

"I'll see what I can do," Winter whispered to him conspiratorially and winked. Helping Kai with his romantic schemes was definitely more fun than filling out tax returns. Besides, she thought Cinder could use some time off. Cinder's busy schedule was more so due to her determination to work as much as possible, to prove that she could, in fact, run her late step-father's garage.

That dedication was definitely something to admire, but before Winter had started working here, Cinder had worked herself to the bone. Iko had begged her to take on more people, persuading her best friend to hire Winter before she exhausted herself to death.

It had somehow worked out from there, with Winter finding a second part-time job to keep up with her bills, and Cinder catching a break. But there were times when people still had to remind Cinder to take care of herself before the cars.

"Knew I could count on you," Kai said, grinning.

Winter shrugged modestly, then immediately lost all her composure when she saw Cinder standing with her hands on her hips, giving them a look.

"Are you really going to waste Winter's time as well?" Cinder asked, but there was no malice behind her words. Her mouth twitched as she watched the two of them laugh.

"None of this would have happened if you had listened to me in the first place!" Kai exclaimed, moving closer to his girlfriend, who shook her head in exasperation.

Winter turned back to the computer, determined to at least finish a few emails, when something caught her eye. Looking up, she found Aimery outside in the lot, leaning against his car as he watched her. Frozen in her spot, she tried to figure out just how long he'd been there, but judging by the look on his face, it was long enough.