CLAIRE
Friday morning, I woke up before my alarm, my stomach already twisted with nerves, today was the day Ava was sending the final photos.
Today I would decide whether to launch or wait. I found Julian already awake in the kitchen, coffee brewing as always.
"Big day," he said, sliding a mug toward me.
"Huge day," I corrected, wrapping my hands around the warm ceramic. "What if the photos aren't as good as I remember? What if I looked at the previews with rose-colored glasses and the finals are terrible?"
"Then Ava isn't the professional Nina claimed she was," Julian replied calmly. "But that's not going to happen."
I took a sip of coffee and checked my phone, nothing yet. "What time did she say she'd send them?" Julian asked.
"By end of day," I said. "Which could mean anytime bet
