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Shane barely said a word. He just listened while I rambled. We stayed outside until his friends got back from town sometime in the middle of the night. After that, he led me inside and offered me his bed, insisting he’d sleep on the couch. Until I face-planted on the cushions and refused to get up.

Not my finest moment.

I bury my face in my hands, groaning with embarrassment as memories flood back.

“That bad?” Nora asks.

“I don’t want to think about it.”

She squeezes my arm. “You know I’m on your side. I’m sure it will all work out.”

Sometimes I wish I could see the world through the same lens Nora does. No matter what shit is thrown at her, she sees the best in people. I was like that once, saw Lanceleaf as a town plucked out of a fairy tale. I thought this place was untouchable, and that I was as well.

Now, when I look down at my hands, all I see is blood. A rose-colored lens shattering before me.

Nora smiles, trying to make me feel okay when all I feel is guilt. She’s a better friend than I’ve been to her. After yesterday, she might be the last friend I have.

Since opening the bar this afternoon, I’ve heard the whispers. About me, about Zander. About the motorcycle I rode out of town on. Ransack is busier today than I’ve ever seen it, and that’s only because people are waiting to see what I do next.

At the other end of the bar, Elsie serves drinks, giving me a minute to catch my breath and talk to Nora. But there’s no avoiding what happened, especially in a town like Lanceleaf.

“I’ll be fine.” I grab a rag and wipe the bar down for the hundredth time. “Let’s talk about something else. Anything else. How’s school going?”

“You’re asking about kindergarteners?” Nora smiles. “You must really be desperate for a distraction if you’re asking me about my work.”

“I ask you about your job.”

She narrows her eyes, and I try to remember the last time I asked Nora how teaching is going. I remember she mentioned moving from third grade to kindergarten this year, but that’s it. Have I really been so self-absorbed that I don’t know what’s happening with my best friend?

“I’m sorry I’ve been so distracted lately.” I frown.

“Don’t be,” she says, forgiving me too easily as she always does. “School was eventful this week. We had to call the paramedics on Wednesday because one of the kids nearly choked on an eraser.”

“That’s terrifying.”

“Tell me about it.” She wrings her hands together. “He’s okay, though. Other than that, there’s not much to report. The kids are pretty awesome.”

“Awesome?” I hitch an eyebrow. “Oh no.”

Nora’s head tilts. “What?”

“That look.”

“What look?”

“The one that tells me you’re catching baby fever.”

“Baby fever? I don’t even have a boyfriend, and you think I want to involve a child in this mess that is my life right now?” Nora laughs, her nose scrunching.

“The dating cleanse is still in full force?”

“Yes. Now and for the foreseeable future. All things dick-related are off the table.”

“But dicks can be so much fun,” I tease.

“I’m sticking to the silicone variety for the time being.” She lifts her chin, standing firm.

Nora went on what she calls a self-imposed dating cleanse after she and Monty broke up a year ago. She’s been tight lipped about what specifically made her call off her engagement, but Monty was an asshole, so I don’t blame her.