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Zoe has a knack for timing. She always seems to know when I need her. That best friend ESP.

Katie

No, I’m home. Are you free to talk?

Zoe

Duh. I’m always free.

Just as I finish reading her message, a video request pops up. I take a deep breath, rubbing my cheeks to bring some color back into them, and force a smile that feels like it’s made of glass. I hit Accept.

“THERE SHE IS!” Zoe’s voice erupts through the speaker as her face fills the screen. “The future of the WTA! The Queen of Stratford herself!”

“Zoe?” I ask, confused.

“We’re having a party for you to celebrate. I know you’re all the way over there, but we thought we’d have a dinner in your honor.” She grins. “The gang’s all here. Let me pass you around.”

My heart sinks. I was hoping for a one-on-one therapy session. I look down at my pajamas and frantically pull a knitted throw blanket over my lap, tucking it up to my waist. I don’t know who she’s invited, but I’m don’t exactly look like I’m fit for company. Even if it’s digital.

I smile, though it pulls painfully at my cheeks as she pans the camera around Mamma Lina’s. Seeing Randy, Lina, Leon, Theo, and Kaori all together across the pond sends a pang of homesickness through my body.

“Congrats, Katie!” Lina is beaming, but misty-eyed.

“Great job, kiddo,” Leon says, draping his arm over her shoulder.

“I hope you’re taking care of yourself,” Lina says.

“Don’t worry, I am,” I assure her.

“Brava. I’ve made Theo promise he’ll hand deliver some cannolis to you the next time he’s on your side of the Atlantic.”

A burst of laughter escapes. “If he doesn’t eat them first.”

Lina rolls her eyes dramatically. “He’ll have his own batch, cara. I wasn’t born yesterday.”

“I heard that,” Theo says in a dry tone.

Lina passes the phone to him. He’s in another one of his three-piece suits. But unlike so many times I’ve seen him, he looks happy.

Kaori waves next to him. “Hi, Katie, congratulations,” she says.

“Thanks.” I smile.

Theo refocuses the camera back on his face. “A little birdy mentioned you might have a wildcard to Kensington? Is that true?”

“Kensington? Katie, you didn’t tell me that,” I hear Zoe squeak from behind Theo.

“I was going to tell you later. I just got the news today. But surprise,” I say, my voice sounding a little weaker than I intended.

Zoe’s eyes narrow, her internal radar pinging. “Katie . . . are you in your PJs?”

“Um, yeah, I am. It’s been a long, exciting day. I was just planning to, er . . . relax with some Rory and Lorelai.”

Please don’t ask any more. I know Zoe is picking up on something being off, but the last thing I want to do is break down in front of everyone.

“Mm-hmm,” she murmurs, giving me a look that says I’ll be receiving a private interrogation later.

Theo clears his throat and changes the subject back. “Right, then, when can I see you play?”