"Hey," she said softly, trying to smile as she neared. Her voice cracked. "Sorry I'm late."
I looked at the cake, then at her.
"What happened?" I asked.
She blinked, slow. "Nothing."
A lie.
Her voice cracked like old porcelain. She forced a smile so faint it barely qualified as one.
I didn't move. "You sure?"
"I'm fine," she said again. Quick this time, too practiced.
I frowned. "Erin."
She avoided my eyes. "Can we just… go? Please? Take me to him."
I didn't budge. "You're late."
"I know... "
"What happened?"
She inhaled like she was gearing up for another lie, opened her mouth, then shut it again. Her lashes fluttered as she looked down at the cake box in her hands. Her shoulders slumped.
"I was… caught up with stuff," she tried.
"That's not even a good lie."
She exhaled sharply, like I'd knocked the wind out of her with the truth.
"I just... " she started, then stopped, shaking her head. "Let's see Ivan first. Please. I'll explain everything after."
