Page 20

Brooklyn:

Mom called me three times already. Can you please call her and let her know that everything is okay?

Brooklyn:

Everything’s okay, right?

Brooklyn:

If I don’t hear from you soon, I’m coming over.

Annoyed, I roll my eyes. It’s so typical. Brooks is pretty straightforward, considering the fact that he’s such a good lawyer. He’s also impatient. I quickly write a reply and pray he’s not already on his way.

Phoenix:

Everything’s fine. It went well.

His reply pops up a few seconds later, just as the elevator reaches the fifth floor. The doors slide open, and I step into the hallway, reading his message as I walk.

Brooklyn:

The word “fine” loses some of its meaning when you use it so often.

Phoenix:

You’re a smartass. No one uses quotation marks when they’re texting.

Brooklyn:

That’s nothing new. Are you really okay? Are you at home? Should I come over?

Phoenix:

No, you don’t have to. But yes, I’m home, and I’m really okay. The evening just took longer than expected.

Brooklyn:

If anything’s bothering you, just let me know, okay?

Phoenix:

I will.

Brooklyn:

By the way, Daisy and I are going to a party with some college friends this weekend, if you want to come.

I grimace when I read his last message. The first and last party Brooklyn and Daisy dragged me to is where I ran into Lia, and that messed everything up. It was three months ago, and I’ve had enough of parties for the time being.

Phoenix:

We’ll see. I don’t know how the week will go or how much I’ll have to do.

Brooklyn:

If you change your mind, let me know.

I don’t answer but put my phone back in my pocket and take out my apartment key instead. My head is pounding. It’s been a long day, and nothing has gone the way it should have.