~Jennie’s~

“You finally decided to call.”

Ava’s voice is breathy, broken, and it shoots straight through my chest like a dart tip-dipped with guilt. My hand tightens around the phone as I shift on the couch. The sunset outside is golden, but inside me? It’s just shame and fear twisting like vines.

“I should’ve called earlier,” I whisper. “I didn’t know—Ava, what happened?”

There’s a beat of silence on the other end. Then a weak laugh. “Didn’t know? Or didn’t want to deal with me after flaking out on our plan?”

I wince. “That’s not fair.”

“But it’s true, right?” she says. Her tone softens. “It’s okay, Jen. I know...