I cleared my throat and tried to sound normal, like nothing had happened.
"I didn't get to eat with them in the end," I said lightly. "I caught a cold, so I excused myself."
The lie slid out easily. Too easily.
On the other end of the line, Finnick didn't respond right away. The silence stretched, and I could almost feel his mind working. He was not just any man. Even without standing, he carried the calm dominance of someone born to lead. His instincts were sharp. He always sensed when something was wrong with me.
"Where are you now?" he finally asked.
He didn't press. He gave me space. That was his way.
"I'm at Yves Mansion," I replied. "Why don't you grab something to eat first? And could you ask Molly to prepare some soup? I'll have it when I get home."
Again, silence.
I pulled the phone away from my ear to check if the call had dropped.
The screen was black.
My heart sank.
No. No, no, no.
The battery had died.
"Damn it…" I muttered under my breath.
