Chelsea Biggs was jogging down the sidewalk toward them. Scarlett had anticipated that some people would read Spies of New York—but not everyone. Another miscalculation.

“Just made it!” she said. “I heard about it during intermission and…”

Her eyes fell on the hooded figure that had turned away from them. There was a moment of confusion when she realized it was her brother, then she shrugged, as if Max’s appearance could be just chalked up to his constant attempts to annoy her. It was amazing how good Scarlett had gotten at reading the Biggs family signals.

“Anyway,” Chelsea said excitedly, “Eric messaged me and told me what was going on. I can’t believe I missed it! Did you guys talk?”

Chelsea really had no idea how any kind of normal human friendship worked. No one had told her that you weren’t supposed to run up to heartbroken ex-girlfriends and ask if they’d heard the glad tidings that you had taken over their role.

“No,” Scarlett said coldly. “I don’t want to talk to him.”

“Why not?” Chelsea asked. “Let him explain.”

“I’m fine with it, okay?” Scarlett said. This was supposed to be a lie, but she managed to say it with such surprising conviction that she wondered if she meant it. She even managed to add, “I hope you guys are happy,” without making it sound like she was placing a pox on the House of Biggs. These words, far from soothing Chelsea, only seemed to confuse her. She immediately looked at Max.

“What did you say to her?” Chelsea snapped. “What did you do?”

“Nothing,” he mumbled. “You said you went out. That’s what I told her. Because it was true. I don’t even know who this guy is…”

“Don’t listen to him, Scarlett,” Chelsea said. “We did go out, but not that way. Eric came to the show. I found out he was there, because they tell me who uses my comps. We talked after the show. He told me all about you two, and he was all upset because you didn’t show up. He said he’s been trying to talk to you for days, but you don’t answer. You’re my friend. You helped me when the show closed. I wanted to help you, too. I’ve been talking to him, trying to get you two back together. He really misses you. He was so excited to see you tonight…”

Dusty and dormant gears in Scarlett’s brain clicked into action, attempting to make sense of all of this. Eric and Chelsea were not dating. Eric missed her. And Max…

Max had stalked off in the direction of the subway without another word. Chelsea shook her head.

“He’s such a jerk,” she said. “I am so sorry he did this to you. He…”