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Nora was not wrong. These ladies shared everything. And as the outsider, they were kind enough to just let me sit there and observe. I admired their friendship. Emily was my cousin, so I had known her my entire life, but these women saw a completely different side of her, and I was jealous. I was jealous of their friendship and the trust they had in one another. They supported and loved each other but they also laughed a lot. No one could take themselves too seriously with this crew.

How long had it been since I had a close, trusted friend? Maybe college? But I had let all my significant friendships wither and die because I had no time.

I had no one to blame but myself for my current predicament. I knew what I had signed up for. I saw my mom’s life. I knew the toll it would take. But it wasn’t until now, sitting at this diner with these sassy and funny women, that I started to truly understand what I had been missing out on. And it didn’t feel good.

24

ASTRID

I couldn’t stop thinkingabout Declan. I wanted to be with him all the time. My phone buzzed all day with his constant texts. At least he was thinking about me as much as I was thinking about him.

* * *

Declan: Why do you smell so good?

Astrid: How can you smell me across the street?

Declan: I remember everything about you, killer. Including how you smell.

Declan: It’s incredible. Is it perfume?

Astrid: Nope. Just the blood of my enemies.

* * *

Declan: I can’t stop thinking about you

Astrid: Same. I am so sore.

Declan: Did I hurt you?

Astrid: Calm down. Only in a good way.

Declan: Don’t worry I’ll kiss it and make it better later.

Astrid: Promise?

Declan: Oh yes. I am having a shit day. When I get home I am going to pour myself a glass of whiskey and then lick it off your naked body. Then I want you to sit on my face and not get off until you’ve come at least three times.

Astrid: Wow. I don’t know if I can wait that long.

Declan: You will wait.

Astrid: Or what?

Declan: I’ll spank you.

* * *

I had been putting this call off for weeks. I needed to make it, but it was very hard to actually pick up the phone and dial. I needed to call Donna, my secretary at the firm. But just the thought of making contact with Burns & Glenn made me feel nauseated. Things were so good right now. I didn’t want to spoil the wonderful things in my life with more law firm drama.

“Hello, Donna. How are you?”

“Oh Astrid, sweetie. I miss you so badly. Things are so weird here without you.” Donna was the best. She had been assigned to me in my first year, when I shared her with multiple other associates. As I climbed the ladder, I insisted on working with her, and she became my personal secretary a few years ago. I could not function without her. She was professional, insanely organized, and a wonderful person who always had my back.

“I’m sure. Who are you working for now?”

Donna hesitated on the other end of the phone. “Charlotte Tobin-Meyer.”