Dorian's POV
I knew something was off the second I stepped out of my car.
Elena stood by the curb, eyes locked on her phone, every muscle in her body wound tight.
My pulse quickened. Had the meeting with Vanessa gone south? Did she hate Vanessa's designs?
"Hey," I said softly.
When she lifted her gaze, I caught the worry swimming in those brown eyes, and my stomach dropped.
"What's wrong? What happened?"
"My friend... we were..." she started, pacing back and forth. "She's... not..."
I reached out, fingers brushing her shoulder. A chill shot through me, but I kept my voice steady. "Take a breath and tell me what's going on."
She did as I asked, letting out a shaky exhale before pressing her phone into my hands.
I took it, scanning the message on the screen.
"Minnie? Your friend?"
"Yes," she nodded. "We had plans today."
I read it again, the words still not clicking. "You sure this is legit? Maybe she just can't make it..." I trailed off, not wanting to sound insensitive.
