her voice in my head. But I was flying to see her. So I decided I didn’t need them. I put on my boots and grabbed my jacket, then unzipped my bag and pulled the letters out. I hid them behind my furs. I left Max a note: “I will be back on Thursday, Maximilian. Love, Evelyn.” Connor was in the kitchen, grabbing Pop-Tarts before heading over to Harry’s house to stay while I was gone. “Doesn’t your dad have Pop-Tarts?” I asked. “Not the brown sugar kind. He gets the strawberry ones, and I hate those.” I grabbed her and kissed her on the cheek. “Good-bye. Be good while I’m gone,” I said. She rolled her eyes at me, and I wasn’t sure if it was for the kiss or the directive. She had just turned thirteen, beginning her ascent into adolescence, and it was already breaking my heart. “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she said. “I'll see ya when I see ya.” I went down to the sidewalk to find my limo waiting. I gave the driver my bag, and at the very last minute, it occurred to me that after my dinner with Celia, she might tell me she didn’t want to see me again. She might tell me she didn’t think we should talk anymore. I might be on the flight back, aching for her more than I ever had. I decided I wanted the letters. I wanted them with me. I needed them. “Hold on, one moment,” I said to the driver, and I dashed back into the house. I caught Connor coming out of the elevator just as I was going in. “Back so soon?” she said, her knapsack on her back. “I forgot something. Have fun this weekend, sweetheart. Tell your dad I'll be home in a few days.” “Yeah, OK. Max just woke up, by the way.” “I love you,” I said to her as I pushed the button in the elevator. “I love you, too,” Connor said. She waved good-bye and headed out the front entrance.