ELLA

“You’re back,” Claire said, holding the door open before I could knock.

“Hello, Claire,” I said and shoved my hands into my pockets. “Why does it feel like you were waiting for me?”

“Hi, Ella. Come in,” she replied, holding the door for me as I walked in. “I was waiting. I knew you’d come back—I just wasn’t sure when.”

“So you waited until I arrived. That’s not creepy at all,” I blurted, and she laughed.

“If you call occasionally glancing at the door for the last few hours creepy or categorize it as waiting, then yes—I knew you’d turn up sooner or later. You’re a bit earlier than...