Beneath the Calm

Valerie avoided direct eye contact with Declan and shifted her gaze slightly to the side.

Chloe, who had initiated the conversation, smiled and beckoned to her, "Valerie, come over and join us."

Valerie replied embarrassedly, "I'm sorry. I'm waiting for my friend."

She fidgeted with her phone in her hand, contemplating, "Should I give Gideon a call and tell him not to come over?"

She really didn't