She dressed quietly and stepped outside toward Nathanie’s car, intending to take her usual place in the passenger seat.
The window rolled down.
Olivia’s face appeared instead, bright and smiling.
“Adriana, sorry,” Olivia said sweetly. “I get motion sickness if I sit in the back. I have to take the front seat.”
Her tone was innocent. Almost playful.
Adriana paused.
She knew for a fact Olivia had never had issues riding in the back. They had traveled together many times before.
If anyone had struggled with motion sickness, it had always been Adriana.
That was why she typically sat in front.
But today, Olivia occupied that seat effortlessly, as though it had always belonged to her.
As though she had every right to claim it.
Ever since Olivia began riding with them, the front passenger seat had quietly changed owners.
It was no longer Adriana’s.
She stood beside the car door, fingers still resting on the handle, when Nathanie’s voice cut through the still morning air.
“Are you getting in or not?” he said impatiently. “If you’re not coming, then take a cab. Don’t waste time.”
The words were blunt, stripped of any warmth.
Adriana slowly released the handle.
She stepped back from the car.