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realized it was my fault Vera didn’t receive an invitation to the party. I’d spent the last few weeks wallowing in my personal pity party, which gave my mom the opening she needed to sink her claws into my life again. I’d worked hard over the last six years to forge my own path. I couldn’t stand the thought of everything I’d done crumbling because I’d lost the will to fight for myself.
    The meddling in my life had to stop, which meant I had to take control and stop being a victim. This morning, I exercised for the first time since I had returned from Mexico, and now was going to eat lunch with my best friend. Just those simple steps made me feel more like myself than I had in weeks. I had a plan. I had a schedule. I would be okay. I could do this.
    “I’m so mad at you,” she declared as she returned my hug.
    “I know. I’m a shitty friend. I don’t have a good excuse for avoiding you.” I released her and took a step back, a faint smile on my face.
    She waved her hand at me, dismissing my comment. “I can’t hold it against you. I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through over the last two months. One minute you were talking to that guy, and thirty minutes later, I couldn’t find you. I scoured that bar and every bar within walking distance until three in the morning. Eventually, I went back to the hotel.”
    “I know. I’m sure you were losing your mind. I’m sorry I put you through that.” I settled into my chair at the table.
    Vera slipped into the seat across from me. She eyed me warily for a few prolonged seconds. I focused on anything and nothing to avoid the intensity of her stare. With trembling hands, I lifted my napkin and placed it on my lap, taking far too long to arrange it.
    She cleared her throat and planted her elbows on the edge of the table. “Do you want to talk about what happened?” She sucked her raspberry-stained lower lip into her mouth. “I’m fine either way. You can tell me everything, nothing, or a little bit in between.”
    My stomach twisted. I missed Vera. She accepted me without judgment. I shouldn’t have waited so long to talk to her. I needed her, and I needed our friendship, particularly now. “How much do you know?”
    “Not a lot. I called your dad the next afternoon when I realized you weren’t coming back.”
    My eyes flared. “I can’t imagine that conversation went over very well.”
    She shook her head. “No, it didn’t. He freaked. After that day, your dad called me twice. The first time he told me you’d been abducted, and the second time he told me they had successfully negotiated your release. He didn’t give me any details. Nobody knows anything. Evan hasn’t breathed a word to his friends either.”
    “You asked them?”
    She twisted a strand of her long red hair around her finger. “Of course.”
    “I thought you hated them.”
    “I did. I still do.” She took a sip of ice water. “They didn’t know anything except that you and Evan are back together.” Her eyes narrowed. “Is that true?”
    I shifted in my seat. Then, I exhaled and held out my hand. Sunlight bounced off my engagement ring. “Actually, we’re engaged.”
    Her eyes flickered to the two-carat square diamond ring glittering on my finger. “Oh, I didn’t realize. Nobody told me.”
    “I’m sorry I didn’t mention it earlier. I should have told you immediately.”
    She shrugged her shoulders, but it looked robotic…forced. “This is the first time we’ve talked other than by text. I understand.” Her eyes darted around the restaurant as she fiddled with the prongs of her fork. “Can I help with the engagement party?”
    “Evan’s parents hosted the engagement party two days ago. My mom handled the invitations.”
    Carefully avoiding my eyes, she nodded, accepting my excuse without complaint. She knew my mom wouldn’t invite her, but it didn’t nullify my behavior. I’d been a bad friend, and I wanted to make it up to her.
    “Tell me about it.