The second she saw me, her expression shifted. Concern replaced the casual smile she had answered with.
“Evania?” she said quickly. “Why are you crying?”
Before I could answer, her eyebrows pulled together.
“Did Callahan do something stupid?”
I shook my head quickly.
“No,” I said, still sniffling slightly.
Instead of explaining, I picked up the book and held it up so she could see the cover. Then I tilted it so the open pages were visible. Emily leaned closer to her screen. Her eyes scanned the page number. Then she visibly cringed.
“Oh.” She let out a nervous laugh. “This is exactly why you shouldn’t meet your idols.”
I just blinked at her. Then the ridiculousness of the situation finally hit me. I burst out laughing. The sudden shift from crying to laughing was so abrupt that it made my eyes water even more, but this time from amusement instead of heartbreak.
I wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand and leaned back in my chair again.
“I promise I wasn’t calling to complain,” I said.
“Oh?” she asked. “Then why were you calling?”
I lifted the book slightly before setting it back down.
“I wanted to know if the next book in the series will be available for pre-order soon.”
A slow smile spread across her face.
“Actually,” she said, leaning back in her chair, “that’s funny you ask. I was actually going to invite you over so you could look at the first draft.”
The excitement that rushed through me was instant and impossible to contain.
“Oh my God,” I breathed. A huge smile spread across my face. “I would love that.”
Emily laughed softly. “I figured you might.”
One and a half hours later, I pushed open the café door and stepped inside.
My eyes immediately landed on Elena, who was sitting at one of the small tables near the window, her hands wrapped around a cup like she needed something to hold on to. The moment she saw me, she stood.
“There you are,” she said softly.
Before I could even set my bag down, she walked over and pulled me into a hug.
I hugged her back automatically, squeezing her tightly. Elena had always been affectionate, but something about the way she held on felt different. When we pulled apart, I studied her face—and my chest tightened.
She looked sad.
“What’s wrong?” I asked gently.
She immediately shook her head. “Nothing.”
“Elena.”
“I’m fine.”
I raised an eyebrow.
