Fake Date, Real Fate

ISABELLA’S POV

The cold air hit me the second I stepped out of Vantage & Cole. My bag was slung over one shoulder and I was halfway to sighing in relief when my phone rang.

Aria.

I answered on the third ring.

"Hello?"

Her voice, however, wasn’t casual. It was frantic, fast and devoid of any usual greeting. It was just:

"Bella, where are you?! Is anyone swamping you? I’m on my way to get you right now. Just stay put, okay?"

And then—click. She hung up.

She hung up before I could even process the words, let alone ask a single question.

I lowered my phone, staring at the blinking screen in utter confusion.

"...Okay, that was weird."