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LOL Fine. I sent her a location tag to my place.

Be there in twenty.

Wait—Clem, it's 3pm. Still working.

Oh. Right. What time do you finish?

6.

See you then.

I laughed at my phone as I approached the row of food trucks parked along the walking path of the park to purchase the bribe for my informant.

***

I stared at myself in the hall mirror, frowning at the way my hat sat on my hair.

"What's with the face?" Tatiana shoved my shoulder when she walked past me. "You're lookin' fine."

"My hair is too straight. What's that about? My hair looks funny."

"It looks normal. It's just not humid today so it's normal." She swatted the brim of my backward cap. "Looks good. Ready for time alone with Clem?"

"Yeah, I mean, she's picking me up in like eight minutes and I look a mess."

"You look cute. Leave yourself alone."

I tightened the arms of the shirt that hung around my waist, then smoothed the shoulder of my tank. "You sure?"

"Yes. Also…you realize she told you the festival is tomorrow, right?"

"Huh? Yeah. Why?"

Tatiana stared at me. "Sequim is two hours away. Where are you staying overnight?"

"Over…night?" I swung around to face her.

She smiled at me, her expression soft and yet somehow sympathetic. "Yes, honey. I figured I'd wait to break the news until the last second."

"I didn't pack anything—"

Tatiana pointed to my gym bag by the door. "I got you."

I let out a heavy breath and shook my head. "Thanks."

"Of course." She squeezed my shoulder just as a knock sounded at the door. "It's literally exactly six."

"She's on time." I panicked, because I was usually late for everything. "You should see her apartment. It's so tidy. Everything in its place—" Panic struck me as I looked around our loft space covered in paint, canvases, and exposed brick while looking very lived in. "We live here!"

"Shh." Tatiana shushed me while laughing on her way to the door. "It's fine, Jags."

"It's not fine!" I freaked out in a crazed whisper while she opened the door. "Tati!"

When she pulled open the door, Clementine stood there gazing at her phone for a solid few seconds. I immediately noticed that she wore more relaxed clothes today, including sneakers and a hoodie. Relief warmed me, but I still gulped.

"Hi there," chirped Tati.

"Oh." Clem looked up and smiled. "Hi."