As soon as Aaron walked in the door, Eliza was there, blocking his way. "How did it go?" she asked, a look of concern on her face. He noted it looked forced.

"Wonderful," he said sarcastically. She was standing between him and everyone else, notably Cadence, and it seemed evident this was on purpose. While she appeared to want to ask him something else, he had no patience left and simply stepped around her.

"Hey!" Cadence said cheerfully, scooting toward Christian so that he ...