Saturday morning arrived with a steady drizzle that painted Willow Creek in shades of gray. Rain tapped against Ava’s bedroom window as she sat on the edge of her bed, scrolling through the photographs she’d taken at the showcase the night before. There were pictures of the gallery, Emily making an exaggerated face beside one of the displays, Jordan pretending to bow in front of Ava’s photographs, and one Denise had insisted on taking of Ava standing beside her work. She looked nervous in it, but she was smiling. A genuine smile.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand.
Mason: Morning. Can I call you later?
She replied almost immediately.
*Of course. Drive home safe.
A few moments later, another message appeared.
*Probably won’t leave until this afternoon. Meetings got added.
She stared
