six
Elsa’s Apartment
New Year’s Day
7:45 a.m.
A restless night had Emma already on the sofa, working on her second cup of hot chocolate, when Elsa stumbled out of her bedroom. “I’m sorry I fell asleep.”
“That’s okay,” Elsa grumbled on her way to the kitchen. “I didn’t expect you to be up this early.”
“Couldn’t sleep.”
“No?” Elsa peeked around the corner. “Busy mind?”
“How’d you know?”
Elsa rolled her eyes and disappeared for several minutes before returning with a donut and a cup of coffee. “Please, Emma,” she sunk onto the sofa, “don’t do that.”
“Sorry,” Emma grimaced, realizing her reprieve was over. “But why don’t you wake up a little more and tell me about Liam?”
“You’re stalling,” Elsa accused. “But I do have a message for you.”
“For me?” Emma fought to keep the corners of
