THE LAST SHOOTING STAR

re convenient, and she preferred working in solitu

sn't caref

d Irene couldn't afford even the slightest slip. She had spent years keeping her cond

misplaced worry, and people

uldn't a

ion. "I'll be coming to the warehouse tomorrow mo

le

assed. The

?" the manager finally asked, h

gaze d

self, and yo

breath caught

ow. Eleanor's lips pa

never-not once-worke

peak to her without feeling like she was walking on glass. But now? With the unexpected ne

the manager stammered. "Everything

ther word, placing the phone bac

room w

ions swirling in her gaze. Louis was still staring

ehouse?" Eleanor asked, her b

and in an instant, the coldness she had

aura turn

ke a wall slamming down between them. It was nothi

es

ointed out, tilting her head slightly, her brow

ing away, her voice as sharp as ever. "Becaus

ression shifting in qu

," Irene continued, cutting through whatever her mother had been about to say.

y. He knew Irene had no filter, especially with her m

her gaze softened, though her voice was lace

ene countered, her tone as cold as ever

say more, to argue. But instead, she sighed, l

didn't need to. The conversation w

sement flickering in his eyes. "Yo

s no real annoyance in it. Just a h

nor, still quiet, merely reached for her

that, the si

--

tion between Irene, her mother, and Louis had died down, and for a fleeting mo

of her sketches. She needed to make some final adjustments to the designs floating

s, exhaling slowly

t n

gged her to using their tears as leverage. The entire evening had been a waste

barely glancing at the

e of the night," she said flatly, "then let me save you the trouble I di

ed on the other

..lau

knowing

s because they knew Irene well enough

that h

still being here tonight was som

Well," he said, amusement lacing his voice, "I'm glad you d

ined silen

He had a reason, and she had no interest in dragg

slightly, "I was wondering if you'd be able to stop by the com

ying attention, respon

ve. Unin

l before he could

moment, three pair

early dropped it. Her fingers trembled as

ing at his phone like it had grown a second head

... she

like

on? No sarcastic remarks abou

yes. He had prepared excuses, persuasive words, even emotional tactics i

ther hand, was

t step into anyone's company unless her

at company bel

ccepting the reques

voice, hesitantly spoke. "Ire

didn't

racefully to her feet. As she did, she turn

my schedule

sed, snapped out of his th

t like that,

her mind replayed the moment that had shatte

you making car

rds. Tha

So sharp.

d at her when she said them. That piercing, accusing gaze. A gaze that stripp

ehouse before. Never. Yet, becaus

efully built routine. Because of her, Irene was t

e wors

e sure sh

d given her that look the kind that sent ice through Elean

because

m her throat as her vision blurred. Her chest ached, h

fused

a lone tear betrayed her, sli

e it away, as if erasing it would

elf, she whispered the most idio

he become