“Don’t put my name,” she reminded.
He held out the contact information, so she could see it.
She laughed wh
en she saw what he typed.
“Come on.”
“Can I see the picture of Annalise and me from earlier?”
He quickly scrolled through and held the phone up for her. Then, he swung around behind her, so he could see it too. It was kind of perfect really. With their unplanned matching yellow dresses and their warmhearted smiles.
“Is it okay if I have a picture of you on my phone? You seem a bit …” He paused. “Is paranoid too strong a word?”
“No, it’s not too strong; it’s pretty accurate. And, yeah, I think this picture is fine.”
“What about one of us? Right now? Something to get me through until you get to Colorado. Wait, are you coming to Colorado?”
She took a deep breath. “Yes, we are coming to Colorado. We have a couple of different plans, so I don’t know the details yet. And I’m not sure about the picture.”
Ele looked out at the water, having some internal debate. Then, she nodded but like it was to herself.
“One picture,” she said.
Tristan wrapped his arms around her waist and held the phone up above them. “Ready?”
She smiled. “Yes.”
Click.
15
3 July
Denver, Colorado
“Would you be terribly disappointed if I went to the game?” Jamie asked via FaceTime.
“Yes.” No! It was a complete relief.
She wasn’t as comfortable here, not quite settled in, and it made her jittery. Facing a new stadium, a different protocol was too much. But she didn’t want to worry Jamie.
“Sorry, love, but I don’t think I will be able to make another until the finals. I need to make an appearance. And frankly, I don’t think this will be the last game.”
“I know. Go. Have fun. Make notes for Robert.” As soon as she said it, she wanted to take it back.
“Make notes for Robert,” he repeated, his voice trailing off. Jamie knew her too well.
And when his eyes narrowed in accusation and the expression on his face registered his hurt, she couldn’t help but be sorry. He tugged on his right ear—his frustrated tell. The public probably didn’t know it because his face gave nothing away, but she knew.
“Ele.”
He didn’t need to say anything else. She knew.
“Honestly, I’ve been good. I haven’t had any episodes. I even went solo to a party last week.”
“I heard, and I was so proud. I didn’t want to make a big deal about it, but I wished I could have been there for your celebration.”