The clock read 10:40 when Celina’s phone vibrated on the table. She was still revising a few passages of the new chapter when she saw Zoe’s name flash across the screen. She answered with a smile, already feeling her chest warm.

“Zoe! I’ve missed you so much!” Celina said, cradling the phone to her ear and propping an elbow on the table.

“Girl, I’m the one who’s dying of missing you!” Zoe replied, her voice bright but tinged with emotion. “Seriously, it’s like something’s missing here without you.”

Celina smiled, the ache of mutual longing tightening in her chest.

“I feel the same. But someday we’ll manage to see each other in person. And you? How are you?”

“Good… really good, actually. It’s been over a month that I’ve been seeing Arthur, you know? And Celina, I’m… in love. For real.”

Celina shifted in her chair, surprised.

“Wow! That fast?”

“I know! I didn’t expect it either. But he’s different—he treats me with so much kindness, so much lightness. It’s just… he hasn’t asked me to be