Chapter 5

Alex called me right away.

I took a deep breath, determined to end things on good terms, and picked up.

Alex's voice came through the line, sounding flustered. "Julia, I don't think we should call off our—"

Suddenly, Emily's laughter and loud fireworks blared through the phone. Clearly, they went to Riverside Bonfire Night, the exact spot I'd recommended as a top couple's spot in my travel guide.

"Oh, Alex, I—" Emily's voice cut through crisp and shaky in the background.

Alex said he'd call back later and hung up in a hurry.

I stared at my dark phone screen,…