“My birthday, my rules. Though now that you mention it, the weather has been odd this year. Eerily and preemptively cold, don’t you think?”

Adam leans to one side and pulls his phone from his burnt orange corduroy pants. Once again, they’re so tight, I’m shocked he can fit his phone in his pocket. He wears a black turtleneck and matching leather jacket, which he hasn’t taken off. His black eyeliner is a bit thicker and his black nails look freshly painted, making him look more dressed up than usual—something I’m sure he’s going for.

Adam flips through his phone.

“Anything from Katie?”

He shakes his head and glances at me. “Something must have come up.” I can tell by the way he avoids eye contact that Katie doesn’t want to be around me—not that I blame her. I’m a ticking time bomb. Destined to explode. Or implode. It’s only a matter of time.

At least Katie would have been the better dinner date. I have no idea why he chose to spend the night with me instead.

Adam sets his phone on the diner-style table and rubs his earlobe between his thumb and forefinger before leaning back against the red vinyl.

Someone opens the door, ringing the bell attached to it. My attention snaps to a couple wearing matching Burberry scarves. I know before they do they are in the wrong restaurant. The guy leans over the counter and the hostess points to something across the street.

I twist another pile of noodles around my chopsticks. Once upon a time, this used to be my favorite dish.

“Seriously,” Adam says. “This is supposed to cheer you up, but it’s only bringing me down.” He rolls his eyes. “All right, Debbie Downer—all topics of conversation are fair play. What are you thinking about?”

I snort, staring at the Thai noodles I can’t manage to eat. Like I have to say it.

“Dopney.” He leans across the table. “Just in case that twisted little brain of yours is deluding you—it wasn’t your fault. You know that, right?”

Of course it was. I know it. He knows it. Eventually, the entire world will realize it. My eyes begin to water.

“Lia.” He waits until I look up. His deep-set eyes hold my gaze. “You’ll never save the city with all that guilt weighing you down.”