EMMA POV
Lunch period rolled in like a whisper, unnoticed by my hollow stomach. Lucy's fingers tapped lightly against my arm, her voice soft, hopeful.
"Let's go eat?"
I shook my head, gaze fixed on nothing in particular, maybe the window, maybe my thoughts. I wasn't sure anymore.
"I am not hungry," I murmured, even though my last meal was… I couldn't remember. Food didn't matter right now.
My thoughts were knotted, twisting, looping around two things. Olivia and Ian.
The first knot was fear. I hadn't heard from Olivia since I dropped her off, and though I knew she was in good hands, the silence chewed at me. Was she settling in okay? Was she smiling? Was she safe? That feeling, she hadn't parted with us to stay in a new environment for a long time. That ache in my chest, wouldn't quiet down. It throbbed, persistent.
The second knot… it was Ian.
Our conversation yesterday played on a loop in my mind, every word of his, every pause, every look.
