Because Becca didn’t just arrive.
She entered.
“Okay body,” Cassie laughed. “We see you.”
Marie leaned closer. “You good though? For real?”
Becca flashed that practiced smile. The one she wore every day.
“Girl, I’m fine. Just life. Shop stuff. It’ll work out.”
Positive. Bright. Unbothered.
Inside?
A hurricane with no exit.
Sam Smith floated through the club speakers the second they walked in.
How do you sleep when you lie to me…
The lyrics slid beneath her skin immediately.
They grabbed a table, drinks in hand while eyes followed her from every direction.
People noticed her.
Just not warmly.
Head nods.
Side glances.
Whispers that died the second she looked their way.
The rumors had beaten her there.
Marie lowered her voice carefully. “We heard some stuff going around…”
Becca laughed like it meantnothing.
“Rumors are rumors. I’m too busy building my life to babysit gossip.”
Cassie and Marie exchanged a look but dropped it.
Becca took a longer sip of her drink.
Then another.
Then a shot of Patrón.
Soon the music pulled her toward the dance floor.
“Let’s go,” she said, grabbing their hands. “We didn’t come here to sit.”
Lights flashed.
Bodies moved.
