Date Cancelled.

She face palmed herself in embarrassment, cursing beneath her breath. How the hell could she have forgotten that?

"Alice, I'm so—" she was interrupted by the sound of her phone going off with a message notification.

Avery glanced at her phone, the screen lighting up with a message from Archie. Her heart sank as she read it:

"Angel,

So sorry.

There's an emergency I need to attend to abroad, and there's a high chance I won't make it back for our date tonight.

Will make it up to you. Promise,

Arch♡

Disappointment surged through Avery, sharp and unrelenting. She bit her lip, trying to push the feeling down, and looked up at Alice, who was still sitting across from her, an expectant look in her eyes.

"Yes," she said, forcing a smile. "I'll be able to go."