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“Thanks for painting such a flattering portrait of me.” But Arden didn’t actually mind her friend describing her as shy. It was only the truth. What she didn’t understand was why Phoebe had asked if she was single. Maybe Sam hadn’t told her anything after all?

“Did she mention… anyone in particular?”

“No.” Becca’s voice grew suspicious. “Wait, why?”

“Um…” Arden had intended to tell her anyway. Might as well get it out of the way now. “Are you sitting down?”

“Sure.”

“I’ve been dating someone here. I met him the first day I got here. Phoebe’s brother Sam.”

“Holy shit.”

“Don’t get too excited. We hung out for a few days, but it’s over now.”

“Why?” Arden could hear the disappointment in Becca’s voice.

“The usual reasons.” Arden stared sadly at the melting whipped cream in her mocha.

“Meaning what?”

“You know. I got too attached. He wasn’t on the same page. He was probably just looking for a lighthearted fling.” That word made her stomach clench. How she wished she would never have to use the word fling again. “I broke it off so I could enjoy my last couple days alone.”

“Well, good for you! You deserve a guy who is super-duper into you.”

The speed with which Becca pivoted to You can do so much better mode made Arden sad. She would have liked to gush about Sam, to tell Becca how handsome he was, how thoughtful and kind and sexy. But there was no need for that now. It was over.

“Thanks, Becca.”

“And anyway, isn’t the point of your trip to get comfortable being alone? Like, to build your self-confidence and all that? Hey, maybe you can view this guy as an item on your list. A fun fling that helped you regain your confidence.”

“Yeah.” Arden chuckled weakly. If only she felt more confident now. If only she could draw strength from the experience of falling for Sam and losing him. But she felt only heartbreak.

“I’m proud of you. You booked this trip impulsively, which I know is way out of your comfort zone. And you dated someone there? Like, that’s actually awesome. You should be proud, too.”

This coaxed a reluctant smile from Arden.

“You’re the best. Thanks for cheering me up. How was your Christmas?”

“It was great. Brian got me that necklace I had on my wish list. Anyway, I should go. Hey, did you end up seeing The Nutcracker?”

“Not yet, but I have a ticket for tonight.”

“Man, I loved going to see that together when we were kids. Such fond memories. Ooh, let’s go together next year! You, me, and Brian.”

“Great idea.” Arden hoped Becca couldn’t hear the flatness in her voice. A few days ago, she might have been optimistic enough to think that by next year, she’d have her own guy to see The Nutcracker with. But chances were, it would be her and Becca and Becca’s husband. Oh well. At least she had good friends—she was lucky in that sense.

“See you soon. Thanks for calling.”

“Love you! Happy New Year!”

Arden hung up and stared out the window at the cloudy, drizzly day. At the very least, she’d be home soon, in her cozy house, snuggling Mittens. So why did she feel like she’d be leaving part of her home behind?

When she got back to Phoebe’s place, Arden decided enough was enough. This was such a short trip, and she’d already spent most of it with some guy. Yes, he was a charming, adorable guy, but that was not the point of this trip. The point of this trip was to spend time with herself. To return to real life in January refreshed and calm and happy.

Currently, she felt so far from calm and happy, it was almost laughable.

She stood in Phoebe’s luxurious bathroom and stared at her reflection under the flattering vanity lights. “Arden Nicole Torres. The only person you need is you. You are fun. You are confident. You are enough.” She wasn’t sure the message was getting through, so she widened her big brown eyes at herself and raised a stern finger. “You are enough.”