“What do you mean?” Mandy asked, watching Valerie carefully.

Valerie opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, her purse buzzed sharply in her purse, the sound interrupting the moment. She paused, pulled out her phone, and her whole demeanor shifted.

“Oh, it’s Sam,” she said, her voice brightening as she mentioned her fiancé. She typed a quick reply, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Can you—” Mandy started.

“I have to go,” Valerie interrupted, ...