Lisa’s POV

My hands were still buzzing from the phone call. “Breathing space,” I muttered under my breath, mocking him just enough to make myself grin. “Okay, Mr. Serious.”

Ronan shot me a look like he was going to argue, but Heri cut between us, hugging her book to her chest like a shield. “Where?” she asked. Just that one word. Small, clipped. But her eyes… there was something underneath it. Wary, but also… maybe curious?

“Town,” I said. “Oh—damn—sorry. Uh, yeah, New Haven. Shops. People. Ice cream, maybe? Do you know ice cream?” My words kept spilling because her stare made me nervous for no reason at all.

She...