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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.