Elodie tapped her finger against the tip of my nose, making my eyes close and my face crinkle. “Let’s not change this to me.” Her smile was a sweet and knowing one, and I realized I hadn’t even asked her about her trip!

“Okay, but first you have to tell me about Atlanta. Did you have fun? Were The Wives nice to you?”

She smiled, giving my arm a playful squeeze. “Absolutely fun! But it was very crowded everywhere and the shopping was too expensive. I had a good time, but it will be curious if they ask me to hang out again.”

“They will.” I looked up at her. “If they don’t, it’s their loss anyway.”

“You need to eat,” Elodie exclaimed, jumping up from the couch. She disappeared into the kitchen and returned a moment later with a bowl of Cheerios with sugar sprinkled on top. Elodie knew it was my favorite breakfast, something my mom had made any time of day or night when she knew I needed a pick-me-up. It was still my comfort-food ritual.

I looked at the time on my phone: it was already 9:45, and I was due at work at eleven. How was I going to work a shift today? I was in no mood to be with anyone.

“I am going to call Mali,” I said between bites of cereal. “I know I’ve taken time off this week, but I just can’t go there today. I know Mali’s going to freak, but I just can’t do it.”

“Don’t call her! She’ll kill you. And she’s already mad at me for not working my full week,” Elodie exclaimed, eyes wide. “I’m off today, I can cover for you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I decided already. You helped me so much when I was sick from the baby.” She smiled. “I’m going to shower now and get ready.”

After Elodie left, I had the house to myself and could either crawl back into bed and be miserable or try to keep myself distracted while still being miserable. Giving other people the power to make me feel this way was exactly what I had been avoiding my entire life. Kael made me break my own rules.