The last thing I want to do is spoil her mood.
“You made it.” Vee opens her arms for a hug, and I move into her embrace without hesitation.
“I made it.” I force a smile as we pull away, and worry flickers in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Her features darken.
How in the fuck does she know me so well?
“Nothing. Why?” I lie.
“I know that face. Something’s bothering you.” She folds her arms over her chest. “Spill it, Mitchell.”
I consider filling her in on my fight with Finn but decide against it. Today should be about celebrating her boyfriend’s successes. We can talk about my relationship drama later.
“I’m telling you nothing’s wrong. Relax, mama bear.” I crack a somewhat convincing laugh, and her shoulders loosen up.
“Do you swear?” She squints to intimidate me.
I press my palm to my chest. “Cross my heart.”
“But if there was something, you would tell me, right? Because I’m not above smashing Finn’s face into the cake.”
I chuckle. “You’d be the first to know. Speaking of, have you seen Finn?”
Aveena’s gaze combs through the area. “Not since earlier.”
“He was there earlier?”
“Yeah, until he pulled Xavier aside to talk. Then I didn’t see him again.”
I’m officially worried.
“I’m kind of thirsty. Got anything to drink?” I change the topic.
“There’s punch, although I couldn’t tell you what’s in it.” She points to the snack table over her shoulder.
I laugh. “Only one way to find out.”
I’m setting off toward the table when Aveena stops me.
“I got it.”
I pull my phone out of my pocket and send Finn a message as soon as she’s gone.
Dia: Where are you?
The most dreadful word I’ve ever seen appears under my last message.
Read.
I expect him to text me back, but he doesn’t. Is he ignoring me?
I glance up to see Aveena has been intercepted by Xavier on her way to the punch. He’s whispering something into her ear, and she’s giggling, her cheeks turning scarlet.
Yep, I have time.
I text Finn again, refusing to go down without a fight.