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“ARTY!”

I immediately move the phone away from my ear.

“You’re loud.”

“I miss you.” She puckers her lips and blows an exaggerated kiss at the screen.

“You wouldn’t have to miss me if you’d simply come with me.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

I narrow my eyes.

She looks suspiciously happy.

Not her usual happy, either. This is the kind of happy that precedes a crime, a terrible decision, or an email that begins with I have some exciting news!

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“No reason.”

Liar.

“Stevie.”

“Artemis.”

I sigh.

This conversation is already exhausting, and we’ve barely begun.

Her grin widens.

“Sooo… how’s South Korea?”

I glance around at the snow-covered runway, the distant city lights, and the beautiful darkness stretching beyond the airport.

“Cold.”

Stevie blinks.

Then she laughs.

“That’s it?”

“Yes.”

“It’s one of the most beautiful and interesting countries in the world, not a refrigerator.”

“Okay…”

She rolls her eyes.

There. I can be annoying, too.

As usual, Stevie’s irritation with me lasts approximately five seconds before she remembers she has the attention span of a golden retriever whenever she has something to announce.

“Oh! Good news.”