LILY’S PHONE rang while she was standing near the loading bay door, staring at the thin line of light slipping in from the street outside.
She almost ignored it.
Her body was still braced for impact, like the world might lunge at her if she turned too fast. Her shoulders ached. Her throat still burned faintly, the echo of words she had not been allowed to finish back at Robert’s place.
The phone kept ringing.
Jeremiah looked up from where he sat against a crate a few feet away. He did not ask who it was. He did not move closer. He only waited, steady and quiet, like a fixed point she could choose to lean toward or not.
Lily glanced at the screen.
Mary.
Her breath hitched before she answered.
“Hey,” Lily said, keeping her voice even.
“Where are you?” Mary demanded immediately. “And
