She looked over her shoulder for signs of Caterina but saw none. Relaxing a bit, she turned back to the fire. Getting into a car with Grey in public was probably not the smartest thing to do if her objective was to prove there was nothing at all between them (which there wasn’t) and that she didn’t like him (which she didn’t), but she’d already invited him and didn’t want to rescind the invitation. That was needlessly cruel. Besides, Jaya was hoping getting the necklace fixed might help him. Not that she believed the curse was real, of course, but there was such a thing as a placebo effect, wasn’t there? Perhaps Grey would see it fixed and believe the curse was gone.

The front doors opened then, letting in a burst of cold air. Jaya turned to see Grey enter, with Daph close behind him, and she walked toward them. “Hi.”

“Hey,” Grey said, nodding but not smiling.

“Jaya, do you have a minute?” Daph said, grabbing her elbow.

“Erm, of course.” She turned to Grey. “The car should be outside in another minute or two. Do you want to wait there and I’ll meet you?”

He nodded and turned on his heel to head back outside.

Jaya turned to Daph. “What’s going on?”

Daphne Elizabeth cleared her throat, two bright spots of color on her cheeks that Jaya didn’t think had to do with the cold air outside. “Just wanted you to know I told Alaric that either he needed to tell Caterina about us or I would.”

Jaya stood up straighter. “And?”

Daphne Elizabeth held out her cell phone. “He gave me her cell number.” On the screen was a text message, sent the day before.

Caterina, this is Daphne Elizabeth. We need to talk. Alaric and I have been dating. I’m sorry we haven’t told you before now. I know this is so shitty, but it just happened and… I’m sorry. Truly sorry.

There was no response text.

Jaya looked up at Daphne Elizabeth. “She hasn’t replied?”

“No, but she was glaring at me in class today, so I’m sure she saw it.” Daphne Elizabeth let out a breath. “It feels good to have gotten that off my chest. Really good.”

“So what’s the plan now? Will you talk to her, since she hasn’t responded?”

“No, I’d better not. I’m going to let it rest. Ball’s in her court now. She might need a while to digest the text… or plot my murder.” Daphne Elizabeth laughed, but there was a hysterical, nervous edge to it.

Jaya put her hand on Daphne Elizabeth’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you for doing that,” she said.

Daph smiled. “Thanks.”

“And has Alaric said if he’ll text her too? Or talk to her? Is he with her right now?”