Can you do me a favor?’” Melanie reads from her phone. “‘What?’ I replied.” She leans forward a bit over the table, softly lowering her voice to a hushed whisper. “‘Touch yourself for me.’”

Nora giggles. “Saw that coming.”

Melanie raises a hand to silence her. “But then...” Her lips curl. “‘Where?’ I asked. ‘… You know where.’”

I take a sip from my mimosa, secretly rolling my eyes. “And let me guess, you did?”

“Oh, I totally did,” Melanie says, setting her phone down. “Anyway, it goes on like that for a while.”

I slide my phone from my pocket. “Has he told you his name yet?” I ask, swiping my messages open.

“No, but I haven’t asked,” she says. She picks up her glass and waits for her smile to relax before taking a sip. “The mystery is part of the fun.”

I quickly tap out a text message to Robbie.

Wuss.

“I’m so excited for you, Mel,” Nora says. “And Trix. This is the first time in a long time that we’re all so hap—”

“Shhhh!” Melanie throws up her hands. “Don’t jinx it.”

“Well, I just mean—”

“No, she’s right,” I say. “The last thing we should be doing is talking about how great things are. That’s step one of every disaster.”

“Oh, come on,” Nora whines, smiling wide. “Can’t we just—”

“No,” Melanie and I say in unison.

“Okay, fine.” Nora picks up her glass. “I’ll just sit here, silently celebrating.”

My phone vibrates. I turn the screen up to check it.

What’s she saying?

Tell her and I’ll tell you, I reply.

Nah, he says.

As I shift to put my phone back in my pocket, it vibrates even harder with a call. For a second, I praise Robbie for possibly coming to his senses but a now-familiar number stares back at me instead.

I sigh as I answer it and listen to the robotic, automated voice.

“An inmate from Cook County Jail is attempting to contact you. Would you like to accept the charges?”

“No, thank you,” I say.

I hang up and drop my phone away.

“Him again, huh?” Nora asks, her smile going soft.

“Yeah.”

Melanie frowns. “How many times has he called now?”

“Oh, about twice a day for the last three days,” I answer. “I figure I still have about eight more no, thank yous left until he starts to take the hint and then about dozen more calls after that before I have to change my number — but please,” I force a smile, “do not let my family bullshit take away from this circle-jerk we’re having. Okay?”

“Have you heard from your brothers?” Nora asks.

“My brothers are not included in this circle-jerk,” I say. “And... kind of. A few calls here, a few texts there, but I haven’t answered them. I’m not in the mood for a lecture right now after the one I got from Ma.”

They go quiet for a moment as Roger appears beside us to gather our empty glasses.

“You’re doing the right thing, Trix,” Melanie says as he leaves. “You know I love your grandmother but what she told you to do was some messed-up shit.”

“I agree,” Nora says with a nod.

Somehow, I smile. “Lance, though,” I say.

They swoon with me.

“I know I don’t say it often,” Melanie says, “but I was wrong about him.”

“He’s just been... so wonderful,” I say. “Just when I think everything’s gone to shit, I turn around and there he is. The ultimate safety blanket.”

Nora sighs. “Just like Clive. There’s nothing better than getting all wrapped up in those big, manly arms.”

I nod. “Lance isn’t as ripped as Daddy is but he’s got the big, stiff cock of the law on his side and I know I don’t say this often, but my god, lawyers are sexy.”

Her shoulders bounce. “Who knew?”

Melanie chews on her lip. “I wonder if my guy is a lawyer...” she muses. “He certainly talks like one — but not like a real one. Like one of those over-exaggerated, witty, TV lawyers.”

I chuckle. “You should ask him.”

She straightens up and reaches for her phone. “Maybe I will.”

I finish off my drink as she taps away with her thumbs. “I’m going over to his place again tonight,” I say.

Nora leans forward. “Is he cooking for you again?”

“No,” I say. “Actually, we’re ordering some pizzas and hanging out with his daughter, Haley.”

“Wow, really? Already?”

“Apparently, Sundays are movie night with them and she invited me to tag along this week.”

“Aww.” She shakes with excitement. “That’s so cute!”

“I know, right?” I reach for a fresh mimosa. “I’m thankful for it, to be honest. This is the first Sunday in... well, ever, that I’m skipping Sunday night dinner at Ma’s.”

Melanie looks up from her phone. “Oh, yeah. That’s right. I almost forgot about those.”

“I’m really looking forward to going over to Lance’s, shutting off my phone, and just...” I exhale softly. “I don’t know. Not being Beatrix Argento for a while? Does that makes sense?”

Nora nods. “Totally.”

Melanie’s phone chimes and she quickly turns it up. She laughs instantly.

“What’d he say?” I ask.

“‘I’m whatever you want me to be, baby,’” she reads, still chuckling.

I shake my head. Classic Robbie.

Nora squeals. “We’re all so hap—!”

We glare at her and she stops.

“Fine, whatever,” she mutters. “I won’t say it.”

I raise my glass for a sip and look around the table at my friends over the rim. Nora’s not allowed to say it but we’re all sure as hell thinking it.

We’re happy.