Page 157 of Sparks Fly

“Text me when you get there,” she added.

“I will.”

“And text me when you’re leaving,” she said.

I smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”

Sawyer’s mouth twitched. “Don’t get cute.”

“I’m always cute,” I said, and she rolled her eyes like she didn’t hate it.

Then I left.

* * *

Dinner was at Lauren’s condo, which I had been to a thousand times. Ashley was already there when I walked in, her shoes kicked off by the door and a glass of wine in one hand. Lilly was curled up on the couch in leggings and an oversized sweatshirt, her hair piled on top of her head in the way women only wore it around people they trusted.

All three of them looked up when I entered, and for one ridiculous second, I felt twelve years old again. Like I was about to announce something and they were going to decide whether I was allowed to be in the club.

“Addie!” Ashley squealed, pushing herself out of the armchair. “Hi!”

“Hey.” I set the bottle of wine on the counter. “Sorry I’m a minute late.”

Lauren waved a hand from the kitchen. “You’re never late. It’s suspicious.”

Lilly narrowed her eyes at me. “You’re also… twitchy.”

I laughed too high. “I’m not twitchy.”

Ashley tilted her head, studying me. “You’re a little twitchy.”

My cheeks heated. “Okay. Fine. I’m twitchy.”

Lauren walked toward me and lowered her voice like she thought I was about to confess to murder. “Is everything okay?” she asked. “Is this about the accident?”

Hearing her mention it did something small and sharp inside me.

“Everything’s okay,” I said quickly. “She’s okay.”

Lauren’s brows lifted slightly at the she, but Lilly’s gaze sharpened.

“Then what’s going on?” she asked.

I took a breath, set my purse down, and looked at the three of them.

My friends.

My history.

My people.

“I want to bring Sawyer to the wedding.”

There was half a beat of silence.

Then Ashley made a sound that was basically a cheer. “Oh my God!”

Lauren’s face lit up. “Yes.”