REINA

“Elisa, I’m fine. Really.”

She didn’t believe a single word.

Her hands remained firmly on my shoulders, turning me left and right like a doll she was inspecting for cracks. Her sharp, protective eyes scanned every inch of my face, my neck, my arms, hunting for even the smallest mark Tessa might have left.

“Stand still,” she commanded.

“I am standing still.”

“You’re emotionally wobbling. I can see it.”

A small, broken laugh slipped out of me.

She narrowed her eyes. “That laugh sounded dangerously unstable.”

“I promise I’m okay.”

“You promise too easily,” she muttered, lifting my chin with surprising gentleness to check the side of my face....