When I park my bike outside Hannah’s apartment, the first thing I notice are the darkened windows. A ripple of concern works its way through me, a frown tugging at my lips. We had plans for dinner since I don’t have a game tonight, and she still hasn’t responded to the texts I sent her about her meeting with the dean.

This silence isn’t like her at all, and it makes me a little worried. Did the meeting go that badly?

After climbing the steps to her door, I knock and wait, straining to hear any movement inside, but I can’t pick up any sounds. I knock again, harder this time, my knuckles rapping sharply against the wood.

“Hannah?” I call, pressing my ear to the door as my pulse picks up a bit. Is she not home? Where else would she be? I’ve gotten to know her schedule at the yoga studio by heart, and she doesn’t have a class tonight. Unless she’s filling in for someone last minute?

I decide I’ll ride by the studio just to check, but as I’m about to turn away and head back toward my bike, I hear the lock click. The door opens a crack, and Hannah peers out, her face half-hidden in shadow. Relief floods through me, quickly replaced by a fresh wave of concern when I catch a glimpse of her expression.

“Hey,” I say, my brows stitching together. “Are you okay? I was getting worried. Can I come in?”

She opens the door wider, and I step forward to kiss her cheek. Her skin feels warmer than usual beneath my lips, and when I draw back, the sight of her red-rimmed eyes stops me cold. The confident, vibrant woman I’ve been falling for harder and harder every day has been replaced by someone who looks like she’s been shattered from the inside out.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, something tightening in my chest. My hand moves to her shoulder, my fingers trailing over the soft fabric of her t-shirt. “Hummingbird, are you alright?”

She doesn’t answer, giving a small shake of her head as she turns and retreats into the darkness of her apartment. I follow her inside, flipping on a light as I close the door behind me. My eyes scan the room for any sign of what could have upset her—did something happen during or after the meeting with the dean? Did her father say something?