“I just thought we’d talk more, David and I, I thought he would invite me over after the gala. And now I haven’t really gotten a text since last night . . .”

Liza laughed. “He’s probably still asleep.”

“Probably.” Janae didn’t look convinced.

The Bennetts drove home to DC in a slightly less luxurious manner than before. Granny didn’t trust her new plants to survive the frigid airplane cargo section, so they sat in a cramped van. Bev and the pastor chatted about the gala the entire time and speculated on the price of every morsel of food.

Liza, Janae, and LeDeya were glued to their phones. Liza was alternating between mean comments and uplifting cat GIFs.

The phone vibrated in her hand, and she nearly threw it down at her feet. Gosh, she was on edge.

Leaving my city?

Dorsey’s number popped up. She had refused to save his contact info. It was like an admission of some sort.

Yep, if only you’d do me the same favor

Ouch.

Liza’s smile broadened, and LeDeya smirked. “You look so goofy right now. WIC is that funny?”

“Mind your business, Deya.”

Am I bad for your street cred?

Yes

Does this feel too complicated?

Yes

Do you regret our dance?

No

Three wavering dots.

Good.

I wanted to come by before we left. It just got a little . . .

I know.

I underestimated how interested in us people still are.

Had you come it would have been a

It’s sick

Yes. I’m seeing some terrible stuff

It will go away

Still, you OK?

Steady streams of cat gifs are helping.

You?

You’re helping.

Warmth crept up Liza’s cheeks. She looked around and pulled the phone closer to her. Maybe they should make a statement?

Long term strategy tho, we should publicly denounce it at some point right?

Let them know we’re not #crazyinlove

Three wavering dots.

Would that be the truth Liza?

The question felt electric, and her fingertips buzzed as she flipped the phone screen facedown on her lap. When her heart wouldn’t stop pounding, she pushed the phone down to the bottom of her purse. The question still didn’t feel far enough away. She shoved her purse under her other bags despite herself. Dorsey’s directness steadied Liza’s whirling thoughts. He was a lot of things, but not a liar. She didn’t feel up to the challenge of answering his text.

What does he want me to admit?

What is he admitting?

They pulled up to their apartment in record time.

Colin was waiting outside the building. No doubt Bev had told him when to show up. Liza pulled at her suitcases. Colin did not offer to help her but buzzed around her anxiously.

“Can we take a walk, Liza?” he asked.

“I’m a little tired,” Liza started.