Page 57 of Frosted Fakes

Elliott, who had been saving the tea for herself, retrieved her laptop, suddenly nervous. Showing it to Milly felt different from showing it to anyone else. Milly's opinion actually mattered. But Milly had made the effort to show up, which was Milly all over. Elliott was too scared to go to the home, so Milly had come to Elliott.

She sighed, pulled up the latest draft, and turned the screen.

Milly scrolled slowly, her face unreadable. Elliott found herself holding her breath like a child waiting for a verdict.

"Well," Milly said finally. "This is something wonderful." She looked up, eyes suspiciously bright. "Elliott, love. This is really quite astonishing. Stop second-guessing yourself. You've always done that, made something beautiful and then picked it apart looking for flaws."

"That's called quality control."

"That's called self-sabotage." Milly took a sip of tea and sniffed. "Now. Tell me about this girl."

Elliott stiffened. "What girl?"

"Don't play coy with me, I'm too old for it. I told you, Shay's been keeping me informed." Milly's smile was knowing. "The pretty blonde who can't bake. The one you're pretending to date. Or not pretending, or… whatever it is that’s actually happening."

"It's complicated."

"It always is, with you." Milly set down her cup. She smiled. "Do you like her?"

"She's tolerable."

"That's not what I asked."

Elliott opened her mouth to deflect, to change the subject. But this was Milly. She shrugged. "I don't know," she admitted quietly. "Maybe. It's confusing. She’s annoying and sort of sweet and… It’s confusing."

"Love usually is."

"It's not love. It's barely even…" Elliott stopped. Milly had gone pale. "Milly?"

"I'm fine." But Milly's hand trembled as she reached for her tea. "Just a bit dizzy. It'll pass."

"You don't look fine." Elliott moved closer. "Maybe you should…" Should what? She had no idea what should come after that.

"I just need a moment." Milly's voice was thin. "If I could just…"

She swayed on the stool.

"Milly!"

Elliott lunged forward, but she wasn't fast enough. Milly slumped sideways, her body going limp, and Elliott barely caught her before she hit the floor. She lowered Milly down as gently as she could, hands shaking, mind completely blank.

"Milly? Milly, can you hear me?"

No response. Milly's face was gray, her breathing shallow.

Elliott's brain screamed at her to do something, but she couldn't remember what. Couldn't remember anything except the cold terror flooding her veins. This couldn't be happening.

"Elliott?"

Julia's voice coming from the shop. Footsteps approaching.

"Elliott, Tara said there was someone—oh my God."

Julia appeared in the doorway, took one look at the scene, and transformed.

It was like watching a switch flip. One moment she was flustered, apologetic Julia. The next, she was someone else entirely. Someone calm. Someone competent. Someone who knew exactly what to do.

"When did she collapse?" Julia was already on her knees beside Milly, fingers pressing to her neck.