Avery looks away from Evan's venomous gaze and whispers, "I'm sorry Rebecca, I just remembered I have to do something at home. I'm afraid I have to leave now."
Rebecca bites her lip and looks between them, "Wait, do you two know each other?"
"No, I don't know her," Evan says, his voice cold and flat.
Avery stands and gives Rebecca a quick hug. Her heart hammers in her chest, and she feels Evan's eyes on her, judging her every move. Rebecca's face is pale with worry, but she's too polite to force Avery to stay.
"I'm sorry to see you go," Rebecca says.
Avery nods and rushes into the hallway, desperate to get as far from Evan as possible. She can hear Rebecca and Evan following her into the hallway, and she fights the urge to run out the front door. She kicks the slippers off and fumbles for her shoes, trying to slide her feet in as quickly as possible.