“It’s open,” I call.
“We’re here,” Julia announces.
Grinning, I set it down and greet them with tight hugs.
“Oh my god, I’m so excited to make shit and talk shit,” Lauren says.
“Same,” I agree with a laugh. “It’s so good to see you. We went way too long without a girls’ night this time.”
“I know.” Caroline pouts. “Stupid work. Who let us be adults? With bills and responsibility? This sucks.”
“And existential dread? No thanks,” Julia adds.
“Hate it,” Lauren says.
“Absolute bullshit,” I confirm.
We all giggle. I invite them in and we catch up while preparing snacks and pouring wine. One of them puts on Pride & Prejudice—the 2005 version with the epic hand flex, obviously, although we’re fans of every adaptation.
Twenty minutes pass before we touch our crafting activity.
Crafting is the best. It’s the thing that makes me happiest. Sharing it with my friends is my favorite thing to do. We have the best time adding our own touches to the paintings, breathing new life into them.
“Okay, I really needed tonight,” I say. “This cheered me up a lot after what Shawn did.”
Lauren puts down her paintbrush and lays her hand over mine. “Are you two fighting again? You can tell us anything.”
The memory of getting sidetracked from telling them last week by Cole in skates surfaces from the depths of my mind.Shoot, I knew I was forgetting something. Since I’d started the text, my brain accepted it as a completed task.
“I know. Shawn dumped me.” I pause to wince, still pissed off. “By text this time. While I was showing up at his place after work and asking what he wanted to do for dinner. It was fucking awful.”
The three of them scoff in anger.
“Are you serious?” Julia’s eyes narrow at my nod.
Lauren is a ball of rage. She looks ready to hit something. “He’s the world’s biggest idiot.”
“Want me to call my cousin? He knows a guy who knows a guy.” Caroline blinks at us innocently. “What? I have an active approach to problems.”
I laugh. “No. But you’re right, he’s a loser. By text—who does that?”
“Cowards,” Julia replies flatly.
I swirl my paintbrush through the water, biting my lip. A note of vulnerability creeps into my voice.
“It’s just going to suck to be single during a time it’s couple-central. And even if I think he sucks, it’s not like it’s easy to go from falling asleep snuggled up with someone to nothing.”
“Of course, he hurt you,” Caroline says gently.
I nod, throat tight. “We weren’t even fighting this time, which is usually how I know we’re close to calling it quits. I mean, maybe things have gotten a little less steamy than when we were in school. It’s been a while since we last had sex, but I just figured we were both busy.”
We’re all quiet for a few moments. I feel lighter talking it out with them. Their support helps the melancholy ease.
“The only cure for a broken heart is a new dick to make you forget the old one,” Lauren says.
“I think I’m good on toys. As much as I love to read about hot fae men, I told you I’m not brave enough to buy one of those fantasy dildos you showed us.” I stifle a laugh. “Be serious.”
“I am,” Lauren counters. “And I don’t mean toys, although there’s always room for an addition to our collections and I highly recommend the 4D reading experience. You should get over that idiot Shawn by getting back in the saddle. Find someone new.”
