Monica: I know. Also I need details about your new relationship.
Me: Of course you do.
Monica: No such thing as a free lunch, am I right?
Twenty minutes later, Monica appears with sandwiches from one of my favorite local delis, a jar of apple cider from her and an expression I know too well, determined nosiness.
"Spill," she says, setting down lunch. "And don't say there's nothing to spill because I can see it on your face."
"See what?"
"The glow. The little smile you get when you check your phone. The necklace you keep touching." She points at my chest. "That's new."
I glance around, make sure no one's listening, then show her properly. "He gave it to me. Before we left the lodge."
Monica’s eyes widen. "Holly. That’s a diamond. This is serious."
"I know."
"Like, really serious. He gave you jewelry. That's a thing. A big thing."
"I know," I repeat, but I'm smiling.
"So, when do I meet him? Officially?"
"Soon. Maybe. He said he wants to meet my local club and also volunteered to pop into a virtual meeting to talk to the girls out of state."
"He WHAT?" Monica grabs my arm. "He wants to meet the book club? Voluntarily?"
"Voluntarily."
"Okay, I'm obsessed with him. When?"
"I don't know yet. We're taking it slow. We have our HR meeting Thursday?—"
"HR meeting?"
I fill her in on the disclosure plan, the professional boundaries, the way we're handling everything above board.
Monica listens, her expression shifting from excited to thoughtful. "That's... actually really responsible."
"I know. He thinks everything through."
"Do you like that? Giving him that level of control?"
I consider the question. "Yeah. I do. It makes me feel like he's serious. Like this isn't just... spontaneous romance that'll fizzle when reality hits."
"Reality's already hitting, babe. And you're both still here."
She's right. The weekend snow globe cracked open and we're still standing.
"Hey," Monica says softly. "I'm happy for you. Really happy. You deserve someone who sees you."
My throat tightens. "Thanks."
"Now eat your sandwich before you pass out. You look like you haven't eaten since breakfast."
"I didn’t eat breakfast?—"
