Evaline:
I knew this moment was coming.
I even rehearsed it in my head on the drive here, on the walk to the restaurant, and even while hugging each of them when we met. I knew exactly how the girls would react, how their eyes would narrow, how their voices would rise to that distinct pitch they used whenever they were just one with me.
And yet… I still wasn't ready when Selene actually did it.
She slammed her palm on the table, leaned forward, and pointed a finger directly at my face.
"You," she declared, her voice carrying across the entire small restaurant, "disappeared the moment holidays started! It's been two weeks, Eva. Two full weeks. And only now we hear from you!"
Every head in our private booth turned to me. Rowan looked resigned. Kyros looked amused. Mallory, Ria, and Noah all just stared like waiting spectators at a drama they had paid for.
Before I could even open my mouth-
"That's not fair."
