Every day that passes is a slight uptick in my stress level. Mom and Dad are never home, busy with something. I haven't seen Phoenix since the day we spoke in the kitchen. And Jessa has been less than receptive over talking about future plans with me.
The fragile alliance feels like it's crackling away beneath my fingers, like old paper that disintegrates with the faintest touch.
So when Phoenix comes by without Jessa around, dismissing my guards, my heart jumps into my throat. It's hard to swallow the water I'd just sipped out of one of mom's coffee mugs.
"Hi."
"Hey." Phoenix looks me over, rubbing his left brow in a mannerism that's new to me. "They're planning the mating ceremony for next week. Mom's in charge."
"Oh."
What else is there to say? We all knew it was coming.
