“Right,” she says, too breezily. “They’ll be fine.”
I try to believe her, but the little voice in my mind says otherwise. Lydia’s known Wesley her whole life. If she’s not worried, maybe I shouldn’t be either.
Still, I hate not knowing and imagining every worst possible scenario.
I stab at a fry and push the plate away. The grease sheen on the paper catches the light, and my stomach shifts, unsettled, like the air before a storm.
My phone buzzes on the counter. Lydia snatches it before I can. Her grin falters as she reads the screen.
“Who’s Mia?”
“What?”
She turns the screen toward me.
Mia
I know. I suck. Officially the worst friend ever. Robyn’s practically had me on house arrest and then I kind of dropped off the face of the earth. I’m sorry.I miss you. SO MUCH. What are you doing for your birthday?? Please say something chaotic. I need a vicarious thrill.
My stomach drops.Shit.Mia has always been a good friend to me. Mybestfriend. Definitely better than Tori. I miss her.
“She said birthday plans,” Lydia prods. “Whose birthday?”
I tilt my head back, staring at the ceiling and soaking in the final wishful seconds where the day after tomorrow is just another day.
“Mine. In two days.” She opens her mouth, but I beat her to it. “And before you even start—Ireallydo not want it to be a big deal, okay?”
She rolls her eyes. “Sadie, come on. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t plan something to celebrate you?”
“A good one. One that respects my boundaries. Let’s call it my birthday wish. No cake or candles required.”
She shakes her head. “No. I can’t accept that.”
“Please?” I beg. “Just let it be another day.”
She studies me for a minute, quietly scheming. I can practicallyseethe plan forming behind her eyes. It’s not often that people tell her no.
“I should get back to work,” I say, sliding off the stool.
“Wait!”
I turn. “Unless the next words out of your mouth are, ‘Sadie, I respect your wishes and vow to do absolutely nothing,’ I don’t want to hear it.”
“Okay, I hear you…but what if it wasn’t only about you?”
I narrow my eyes. “What do you mean?”
“A joint party. You and someone else.”
Why couldn’t Mia have texted literally any other time?
The universe is punishing me. This is my karma.
“I don’t know.” I sigh.
“We were already planning to go out for Lane’s birthday tomorrow,” she adds quickly. “So we’d just be doubling the celebration.”
My stomach hollows out.
