I immediately pulled it out, hoping it might be a text message from Mallory. It was a message, but not from an old friend—from a would-be new one. Noah had sent a simple question: “STILL DECIDING?” Since I very definitely was, I erased the message—and the evidence. “Good evening, sunshine.” I glanced behind me at the main staircase as I slid my phone back into my pocket. Lindsey was bounding downstairs, her blond ponytail bouncing as she moved. She was on duty today and clearly prepped for a day in the House’s Operations Room, clad in Cadogan black, her katana belted at her side. She reached the foyer, then walked toward me and propped her hands on her hips. “You don’t look nearly as tired as I expected. Maybe he was the cure for what ails you.” I stared at her. “Excuse me?” She rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on, Mer.
