“Uh-uh.” I waggle my finger at her. “None of that now. We’re here for you, and you alone.” I pluck a small package out of my bag and hand it to her. “Happy birthday, Bessie. I know it doesn’t compare to fifteen carats and a lifetime of joy, but I think you’ll like it.”
Distracted from the morose path she might have guided us down, Bess squeals and dives on the wrapping paper, ripping it apart with the same gusto a toddler demonstrates on Christmas morning.
She opens the jewellery case and gasps. “Molly, you shouldn’t have.”
I grin, taking the pearls from her and gesturing for her to turn around. “Go on, they’ll look great with your dress.”
She twirls, holding her hair up for me to place the necklace around her throat. It took me a good few months to save up for the beautiful piece, but when I saw it in the antique store on Third and West, I’d been unable to consider any other present.
Bess deserves this and so much more.
I let her go, stepping back, nodding in satisfaction when she turns around.
“See? Perfection.”
She holds up her phone, snapping off a selfie before examining the picture. “They really are.” She touches a fingertip to the pearls. “I’m wearing these on my wedding day.”
Her eyes tear up and she throws herself at me. “I’m getting married!”
“Yeah, you are.” Laughing, I gently give her a push. “Go! I can see your fiancé across the room searching for you. Go enjoy this time with him.”
Laughing, she pokes her tongue out at me. “You should mingle.” She dips her head toward the bar. “I invited all of Pete’s single friends.”
I roll my eyes at her blatant attempt to toss me back into the dating pool. “Leave before I throw red wine on your dress.”
Laughing, she skips away, sinking into the crowd of well-wishers as she makes her way across the ballroom to her fiancé, Pete Greenfeld.
His face lights up, and he opens his arms wide, catching Bess as she jumps into them. She wraps her arms around his neck as he catches her, leaning in for a kiss.
My chest tightens as an ache shoots through my heart, forcing me to look away.
I remember that kind of joy. I remember what it feels like to trust someone—to love them beyond all reason and doubts.
But I also remember the chest-crushing pain of betrayal.
I force myself to lift my head, pasting a smile on my face.
I love Bess and Pete—they are two of my oldest friends, which means I can be simultaneously happy for them and envious of their relationship. It’s pure. Untainted by lies and secrets.
I close my eyes, feeling a mix of emotions. I adore this for them, but even two years later I still hold grief for the trusting person I used to be, for the role of wife and partner I embraced.
I miss belonging to someone. I miss someone belonging to me.
I glance away, finding others in the room watching me with knowing glances.
It seems that while I might have escaped my ex, I can’t quite shake the shadow of him.
I turn, making my way determinedly toward the bar as I catalogue the crowd.
Bess and Pete are darlings of the Chars social scene. Pete as the blond-haired, blue-eyed, shockingly friendly boy next door, and Bess as society’s charming little sister. Between Bess’s social connections and Pete’s old money business ties, the room is packed with a veritable who’s who of the richest people in Astipia.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a royal or two amongst this crowd.
It has always been so, ever since Bess and I become friends. She radiates so much positivity that she can socialize with everyone, while defending me from bullies and cliques.
I arrive at the bar just as Pete is passing. He catches my eye, grinning as he falls into step beside me.
“Hey, Molly McGee.”
