Rinn groaned. What, was this dude a lawyer as well as a grade A jerk and a freaking bird-watcher?

Now Rinn knew that she couldn’t stop Lena from going after Imogen.

It wasn’t that Rinn minded Lena. On her own she was, perhaps, not somebody Rinn would have been friends with, but Lena was nice enough to make chitchat without being rude. She was the kind of girl who stuck up for herself and the things she cared about. Lena was one of those mouthy, popular girls you couldn’t help but admire. And Rinn had never seen Lena bully another person or abuse her power over others.

But the two of them—Lena and Imogen—together was like reading a bad romance in a paranormal book. The kind of thing that works great in fiction, but in real life is just a plain mess. Sometimes Rinn wanted to save them from themselves. She usually resisted the urge. But after Imogen had shaved her head, Rinn thought they maybe didn’t need to meet right now. Maybe, just maybe, Imogen needed some space. And not only from Lena, but probably from almost everyone.

“Can you wait until I’m done here? I can go grab her after that.” It was a last-ditch effort, but Rinn had to at least try.

“Dude. What is with you? I can find my girlfriend on my own.” Lena was losing her already short patience. It was only a matter of when her temper would switch, not if.

“It’s just…” Rinn bit her lip. Then she released it, thinking of every clichéd heroine who bit her lip in consternation or confusion or concern. She was clearly thinking too hard about paranormal romance. Rinn was not a clichéd heroine if she could help it, despite the earlier heartbeat-in-her-throat thing.

She would be honest with Lena, and in turn, Lena would respond with a calmness and responsibility. Right. “She came into work in, well, A Mood. And while I’m sure she’s fine now, I think, she maybe might not be. And she seemed to be radiating Need alone time and lots of space, please do not mess with me today. And I thought, maybe, I should go get her, or warn her, or something. Or maybe you could come back later. When she’s had time to calm down. Either of those would work super well, I think.”

Lena held up her hands. “I promise not to fight with her in the middle of the bookstore.”

Rinn raised her eyebrows, really not buying it this time.

Lena sighed. “That was one time.”

“It’s not you, Lena. I think she’d fight with anyone right now.” Of that, Rinn was certain.

Lena crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not leaving this spot until you tell me where she is.”