Chapter 10: My Apron

Lena's POV

I went home at one in the morning with Briggs's jacket over my shoulders and my phone in my fist.

He wanted to come in with me.

I said no, and I made him promise to wait at the end of the street.

Every light in the house was on.

I opened the front door and heard the kettle going in the kitchen.

I walked down the hall and stopped in the doorway.

Carina stood at my stove in her stockinged feet.

She was wearing my apron, the blue one with the chipped button, and she was pouring tea into my mug.

Alister sat at my table with his tie undone.

He saw me first.

"Lena. Good. We were just talking about you."

"That's my apron," I said.

Carina looked down at herself and flushed.

"Oh. I'm sorry, I spilled something on my dress and Alister said you wouldn't mind."

"He said that?"

"Lena," Alister said, "sit down. We've been up for hours. Carina is here because she's worried about you."

"She's worried," I said.

"She's the one who suggested a doctor."

I looked at Carina, who had the grace to look at the floor.

I did not feel angry. I felt clear.

I took off Briggs's jacket and hung it on the hook by the door, where everyone could see it.

Then I said, in an ordinary voice, "Carina, I'd like you to take off my apron and leave my house."

"Lena, she's not going anywhere in the middle of the night," Alister said.