YENA

“Right,” Nolan said. “Evan. Your brother is going with you.”

“Mm-hmm. We talked about that, right?”

“Yes. Of course, I guess I just… forgot.” Nolan’s tone was calm and even.

But suddenly I understood that Nolan saw Evan as a rival, even a threat.

And he didn’t even know what had been happening between me and my brother since I’d been home.

I guess Nolan must have sensed it before. Even when I didn’t realize how Evan felt about me. Nolan must have seen it somehow… or maybe smelled it.

And even now that Nolan and I were broken up, he still felt jealous of Evan…

I didn’t expect that to be the case. I figured Nolan was back with Gina already, not thinking about me.

But the gifts he sent did tell me otherwise. He was still thinking about me, at least a little.

And now, the very subtle tone of jealousy I heard in Nolan’s response about Evan traveling with me. That was revealing, too.

It felt good to know Nolan still had feelings for me.

But what did it mean?

Those thoughts all swirled through my head as Nolan kept talking…

He said something about putting Evan’s name on the flight manifest… And asked whether Evan – who he called “the boy,” even though Nolan was only three years older than him – had a passport and was prepared to apply for temporary citizenship in the human world.

“I think he’s got a passport, but I guess I hadn’t thought about the immigration stuff for him, since he won’t be in school,” I admitted. “I’ll talk to him and our parents about it tonight.”

NOLAN

“We’ll have a few security guards on the flight, too,” Nolan said. “Can never be too safe.”

He was trying to move past the conversation about Yena’s brother.

“Okay,” Yena said again.

It was surprising Nolan how compliant she was being.

And it felt good to talk to Yena comfortably like this. Even if the topic at hand was a painful one.

Somehow the energy between them was just… easy. Natural. This conversation wasn’t strained like the last time they talked in person.

Hoping Yena’s obedient mood would continue, Nolan tried to push one more thing.

“And I’d really like to help you find an apartment,” he said. “You should get moved into a permanent place right away, no hotels.”

Yena made a Hmm sound.

Then she said, “I think that actually Evan and I are going to find a place for ourselves.”

Nolan’s stomach dropped.

“Oh.”

He wanted to ask how she could afford that, but it would sound rude.

And after all, he did agree with Yena that he’d pay for her school but wouldn’t force her to take any more money from him.

His wolf started grumbling and growling a little inside of his mind.

Kent didn’t like the idea of Yena not being safe… not being somewhere Nolan had been able to check out for himself, to be sure it was alright… he was protective of Yena.

And didn’t like picturing her living alone with her brother in a faraway place, either.

“No problem, Yena,” Nolan said. “Just let me know, please, if you find that you do need help with your lodging.”

She said, “Mm-kay.” Then was quiet.

“So I guess the next thing will be confirming the flight,” Nolan said. His voice was business-like. “Just let me know when… you and Evan agree on a departure date.”

“Okay,” she said again.

All the business concluded now, Nolan searched for something else to say.

“Yena, are you doing alright?” he finally asked.

“Yeah,” she said. “I’m okay. Just starting to feel a little nervous about all of this, I guess.”

“That’s understandable. It’s a big leap that you’re taking. What you’re doing is very brave, and not a lot of people have the courage to do something like this.”

“Thank you. That means a lot.”

Yena’s voice was quiet and serious.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t be able to do this without your help.”

“It’s my pleasure. I promised you that I would help you follow your dream, and I meant it. I believe in you and your talent and know you’re going to do amazing things out there.”

Yena chuckled.

“Thank you, again,” she said.

Nolan suddenly felt like he needed to see Yena again. Needed to touch her just one more time.

“And how are you doing?” she asked. “Is everything okay over there?”

Nolan smiled. “It’s just the usual here. And I’m doing alright.”

“Good. I’m really glad to hear that.” But Yena’s voice sounded more sad than glad.

“I’ll let you go, Yena. It was wonderful to talk to you.”

“You too, Nolan. And, um, I’ll get back to you soon about the flight.”

Nolan wished he could say: I miss you, Yena.

Or tell her that he loved her.

He hated himself for not telling her that sooner, back when he had her here. In his arms every night. That would’ve been the time to say it.

Now, it was too late.

LUCY

“The key to packing,” Lucy said confidently, “is just to pack everything.”

She turned to Yena and grinned.

They both laughed.

“Thanks,” Yena said. “Real helpful.”

“I know, sorry. Truth is, I’ve been living at home my whole life, and never really traveled, either.”

“That’s okay. I’ve done it a few times now. I guess more than anything, I just need some moral support and company right now.”

“Oh, great,” Lucy said. “Those are things I’m good at!”

“I’m thinking I just pack stuff I need for school. Minimal clothes. I can make things there, and I’m not gonna lie, I can’t wait to go shopping in the human cities, too.”

She gave Lucy a big, kind of embarrassed grin.

“That,” Lucy said, “makes me jealous.”

“Oh, I wish you were just coming with me. That would be so fun. You do need to come visit at least.”

“Yeah,” Lucy said. She could tell that her tone of voice didn’t come out super convincing though.

She would absolutely love to go visit Yena in the human world. It would be a blast.

Shopping, going out. Seeing all Yena’s cool designs for school. They’d probably be crazy creative and interesting.

And hanging out with Yena’s cute, sweet brother, too.

Not that Lucy had any shot with Evan. He was obviously, hopelessly in love with Yena.

Just like Adan was, too.

Lucy loved her best friend, but it was hard to deal with sometimes. Thinking about the way men were drawn to her like magnets.

The bottom line, though, was that Lucy wouldn’t be able to afford to visit Yena overseas.

And the school term was starting soon too. Lucy couldn’t very well blow off a week of classes and manage to pass them. Especially if she was going to change her major, start all over with new types of classes… that was going to be a tough semester.

Lucy’s phone was on silent. It gave a quick, quiet buzz in her pocket.

Yena was looking at her closet, pushing things around on hangers, trying to decide what to pack. She didn’t hear Lucy’s phone.

We need to talk.

That was all Adan’s text said.

Well, at least the message was pretty clear. That’s what you said when you were gonna break up with someone.

Lucy knew this was coming. She was relieved the relationship was going to be over with, too. But it still hurt.

“What do you think?” Yena turned around and held up two dresses. “I don’t need them both. Help me pick?”

Lucy cleared her throat and tried to make sure her face wasn’t showing her emotions.

“The green one,” she said. “That’s your color.”

Yena smiled. Then she looked at the emerald green dress, and her smile fell away.

Lucy slipped her phone back into her pocket discreetly.