It wasn't pity that made Alex invite him for ice cream. It was having been where she thought he was, or close enough, and remembering the woman who'd wanted to give Alex a better life.

"Thanks." She was glad he hadn't been difficult about it, but really, ice cream. It was enough to keep the smart-mouthed response to herself, in favor of treating it like he was doing her a favor.

"We probably want to go that way," she suggested. "Unless you want to walk past the thrift store again today."