The next afternoon felt calm again.
Shelly was in the kitchen with Tanya on a video call, balancing her phone against a jar while cutting vegetables.
“You sound different,” Tanya said, narrowing her eyes slightly. “Too calm. I don’t trust it.”
Shelly smiled a little. “What does that even mean?”
“It means something is going on,” Tanya said. “And you’re not telling me.”
Shelly shook her head. “Nothing big. Just… things feel lighter.”
Tanya leaned closer to the screen. “This is about Spencer, isn’t it?”
Shelly didn’t answer right away.
That was answer enough.
Tanya grinned. “I knew it. So? What’s happening?”
“Nothing,” Shelly said quickly. “We’re just… spending time.”
“Hmm,” Tanya hummed. “That’s how it starts.”
Shelly rolled her eyes, but her lips curved slightly.
Before she cou
