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like you need a bottle of wine and a straw, STAT.”
    “Yes, yes I do.” Sadie accepted one of the bottles, not bothering to read the label. Instead, her eyes remained fixed on Tess as she took a steadying breath. “God, I’m back.”
    “You’re back.” Tess patted her on the shoulder, a sympathetic look crossing her face. “I’m sorry to hear about Valerie. Though this feels a lot like karma coming back to bite her.”
    Sadie shrugged. “Let’s not talk about it now. I want a shower, wine, and pizza.”
    “Wonderful. Calories don’t count when you’re on vacation, so eat up,” Tess reminded her, sliding an arm around her shoulders to lead her inside. “Then again, you’re such a twig. Maybe you could use a pizza or two. What’re they feeding you up there in the boondocks, anyway? Berries and nuts?”
    Sadie snorted and dug an elbow into her friend’s ribs. “We occasionally eat a squirrel or two,” she joked.
    “Ew. You better just be messing with me.” Tess paused before the open front door, motioning for Sadie to enter first. “Go on. Don’t be scared.”
    Sadie laughed, giddy with excitement. The last time she’d been to the house was back when her father lived there, which was right after the divorce. For some reason he’d kept it all these years, even though she knew he’d never move back to L.A.
    She let Tess take the bottle of wine from her hands and took the first few steps into the house. The living room was high-ceilinged and open, spanning out into a dining area and a stunning kitchen complete with amber granite and white cabinets. A stone fireplace roared to life to her right, an enormous flat screen television above it set to a music station. Aretha Franklin’s soulful voice crooned out about feeling like a natural woman. Surrounding the fireplace was an expansive beige leather sofa with neutral-toned throw pillows that Sadie itched to spread out on.
    Beyond the dining area straight ahead were glass patio doors that led to the backyard. Even from the front door, Sadie caught a glimpse of the view.
    “Oh, wow,” she murmured, her feet carrying her forward. She stopped at the glass, her fingertips rising in an attempt to touch the lights that were so far beyond her reach. How could she have forgotten about that view ?
    The skyline of towering buildings and the surrounding city glittered in the night. They cast a glow that blew up into the heavens, extinguishing any chance she had of seeing the stars. At that moment, she didn’t care. She’d spent the last eleven years admiring the stars. Now she wanted nothing more than to enjoy man’s rebellious attempt at creating his own starlight.
    She could see the freeways curving in and out of the city, a million cars seemingly a million miles away. Here was that feeling she’d wondered about before, only now she was a spectator, enjoying the city at its very best. From a safe, comfortable distance.
    The popping of a cork startled her. She turned to see Tess pouring two glasses of burgundy wine.
    “Have a glass of wine first before that shower. You deserve to relax.” Tess brought over the glasses and motioned for Sadie to open the patio door. She did, and the two stepped out into the night.
    “Great view, huh?” Sadie asked, taking a seat on one of the cushioned outdoor chairs. She accepted the wine glass and took a sip.
    Tess nodded, sitting beside her in a matching chair. “As my boss would say, it’s a one-in-a-million-view worth all the millions in the world.”
    Sadie smiled. “I guess the city’s not all bad.”
    “You’ll be back to hating it in the morning.”
    “Yeah, you’re right.” Sadie sighed, settling into the chair. “It really is pretty from up here, though.”
    “You know me, I love this town,” Tess said with a wink before sampling the wine. “It’s home.”
    “I wish I felt that way,” Sadie admitted, her eyes fixated on the city lights.
    Tess reached for her hand, urging Sadie to look at her. “I