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“If anything happens, just let me know, okay?” I say, reaching out to touch her shoulder, but I stop myself when she stiffens at my words.

Her response is an annoyed snort. Without another word, she slams the door in our faces, and we’re alone. We stand there in the hallway, feeling a little at a loss.

Katie breaks the silence. “It’s late, I think we should just go to bed. It’s been a long day.”

I just nod, even though I know I won’t be able to sleep now anyway. I’m way too restless. Still, I wish her a good night before going upstairs to my own room. I remove my makeup and then put on Phoenix’s hoodie, because I need it right now.

It almost feels like a hug. Like comfort, security, and less loneliness.

My phone vibrates just as I slip under the covers. I haven’t turned on sleep mode yet. For a moment, I expect it to be my mother again, but it’s someone else.

“Hi, Ophelia.” Phoenix’s voice is concerned and soft, like velvet.

Tears immediately spring to my eyes. “Hey.”

“How are you?”

I shrug, even though he can’t see me. “I don’t know.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

Yes. Come here and hold me. Just be with me and tell me again that you’re in love with me, and then maybe I’ll dare to say it back, I think.

But I say something different. “No, I don’t think so.”

He hesitates for a moment, maybe just giving me time to change my mind. Which I don’t. I stay strong.

“Do you know how Susannah is doing yet?”

I squeeze my eyes shut as the images come back to me and exhale shakily. “She’s okay—for now, anyway,” I reply, and then briefly repeat what we heard from Francesca. It’s not much. The only question is how long it will stay this way, how long things can go on like this. What will happen next.

“Did the doctors say—” He breaks off, and I can almost see a deep worry line forming between his eyebrows. I want to reach out and smooth it away. He’s thinking the same thing I was a few hours ago. That she lost consciousness because she hasn’t been eating enough, not just today but for the past few weeks, or because she’s been throwing up everything she eats. And we could have prevented it.

“No. Not that I know of. Francesca was with her at the hospital. She didn’t mention anything like that when we saw her, but I . . . I kind of hope she knows.”

“If she knows anything, we’ll find out soon,” he replies, his voice sounding different suddenly.

“Probably.” I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling. “We’ve never talked on the phone before,” I say, changing the subject before he gets to the performance and what it would mean if Francesca really does know. Not just for Susannah but for me too. I don’t even want to think about it.

“Probably because I don’t like talking on the phone,” he says. There’s an unmistakable smile in his voice now. Warmth spreads through me.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I hate it.”

“Then we’d better hang up.”

“Don’t you dare,” he says sternly, and the warmth in my stomach turns into a flutter. “I didn’t call you so you could hang up after three minutes.”

“Then why did you call me?” And why is my heart suddenly beating so fast?

“I wanted to know how you were doing. And . . .” I hear him take a breath. “I just wanted to hear your voice.”

“I miss you,” I say before I can stop myself. He doesn’t answer, and I wish I could take the words back.

Unfair, Lia. Really unfair.

“I’m sorry.” I rub my eyes. “That was stupid. I shouldn’t have said that. It’s just been a long day, and . . . I just miss you.” God, can’t I just shut up?