I walk into The Cellar, scanning for an empty table. It has an upscale feel but is rustic and cozy. The bar in the center of the room is made of large wood planks and a white marble top.

A substantial wooden structure covered in green ivy takes up the back of the bar, forming a large wine rack. Large barrels of whiskey are suspended in the air. The Cellar is known for its vast selection of wine, whiskey, and craft beer.

A small, round stage is set up on the left side where people perform some nights and weekends. Soft music floats through the air. I nab our secluded booth in the far-right corner, opposite the bar and stage. I don’t bother looking for Harper or Valerie. They’re perpetually late.

I sit in the booth, perusing the wine list. We come here once or twice a week. Valerie tells her husband it’s a book club, but we hardly ever talk about books. I’m not sure why she tells him this; he knows we’re here to drink wine and eat good cheese. He’s our ride home when we’ve indulged too much. And we do tend to indulge.

The wine list is extensive at The Cellar. I like to try something different each time, switching back and forth between red and white. We each order a bottle. It’s our own private three-hour wine tasting event.

A purse slams down on the table. Harper has arrived. She doesn’t look like her usual effortless self. Tangled nest-like hair falls over half of her face, almost hiding the black smears around her bloodshot eyes. Her favorite silk blouse with the yellow and pink flowers has an ugly black mark across the front, and I can’t help but notice dried blood around the new holes in the knees of her designer skinny jeans.

“You look like you’re having a great day,” I say sarcastically, unable to stop myself. I reach out to see if she’s okay.

She puts her finger up like she’s about to wag it in my face. “Don’t.”

My eyes widen in surprise, my mouth opening to respond, but she cuts me off with a growl. “Just don’t. No sass today.”

I quirk an eyebrow, holding a reply with suppressed curiosity.

“Order me a shot of whiskey, please. I’m going to straighten myself out.” She stomps off toward the bathroom before I can say anything. The waiter doesn’t usually come over until all of us arrive. He knows our routine, so I walk up to the bar and ask for two double shots of whiskey.

“Want me to send the waiter over?” The bartender pushes the shots across the bar toward me.

“No, just this for now. He can come by when we’re all here.” I raise the glasses in a silent thank-you. I walk back to the table with the shots. If she doesn’t want both, I will have no trouble downing the second shot.

Harper comes back looking completely different. She’s now in a burgundy dress. The top has delicate straps and the dress flares at her hips. She’s changed the wedges into suede, nude booties. Her make up is flawless, and her hair is smooth.

“You have magical powers.” I look at her purse again. It isn’t small, but it also doesn’t look large enough to contain the transformation I am witnessing. “You had all that on you?”

She gives me a look and tosses her hair over one shoulder. “I don’t leave the house without a backup outfit.”

“How do you fit that in your purse?”

She just shrugs. “Give me my shot.”

I push both doubles across the table. “Thought you might need more than one.”

“You’re right,” she says before slamming the first back. She doesn’t even bat an eye. I make the face for her, reminded of how the burn feels. She looks at me and points to the second glass.

“Yours if you want it.”

She doesn’t hesitate to slam that one back.

“Bad day?” Valerie walks up to the table as Harper downs the whiskey.

“You should have seen her a few minutes ago.”

Valerie slides into the booth next to Harper. As she gets settled, our usual waiter, Owen, comes over. He is a few years younger, in his early twenties. His blonde hair is cropped on the sides, with a stylish mop on top of his head. His eyes are a crystal blue, and his smile is devilishly charming.

“My favorite ladies. Y’all look fucking perfect tonight.” He looks at us with a grin, eyes dropping to each chest. No shame.

He leans on the table. “What are y’all havin’ tonight?” His southern drawl is intoxicating.

We each order a bottle of wine, an appetizer, and top it off with a cheese tray. He winks at us as he walks away.

“That boy is shameless.” Valerie stares at him as he saunters off.

“That he is,” I say. “He’s going to give some woman a run for her money one day.”

“He’s probably going to enchant some rich old lady and become her sugar baby,” Harper says. “You see the way women eat him up.”

We all laugh. I wouldn’t be too surprised if that wasn’t too far from the truth.

“Tell us what happened, Harper,” Valerie says.

Val and I turn our full attention to Harper. Her hands are in her lap, fingers twisted. Her breathing is choppy like she’s holding back tears. She blinks a few times quickly, takes a deep breath, then looks at us.

“When I walked into the store this morning, the phone was ringing. I ignored it while I was putting down my things, but it kept ringing. It was my landlord at the store. He wanted to talk about the future of my store. He went on and on about the market and said I’m renting the space for a steal. He’s coming in to talk to me soon about new rent prices. He’s going to raise them so high I’ll have to find a new space.”

“Did you know he was planning to raise the price?”

“No!” Harper screeches, placing her elbows on the table and running her hands through her hair. She looks back up, “I saw him a couple of weeks ago when he was performing a routine inspection. He didn’t say a word.”

“That is crazy!” Valerie says. “There has to be some assurance you will be okay. Why would he not mention this more in advance? Have you talked to the other businesses?”

“No, I haven’t. I was slammed today. I got the impression something brought this on suddenly and quickly. He didn’t give me much of an explanation, which is weird because he’s usually so damn talkative.”

I place my hand over hers, now resting on the table. “Don’t freak out. You don’t know his plans. Maybe nothing will change, and it will be fine.”

She nods, sniffling a bit, but still no tears fall. “I know. I kept telling myself that today. I’m not going to worry until there is something to worry about.”

“Good,” Valerie says. “That does sound like a rough day.” She rubs Harper’s back, leans in and gives her a quick side hug.

The waiter comes back to the table, delivering three bottles of wine with appetizers and cheese. After he walks away, I say, “That doesn’t explain your appearance when you arrived.” We each take a sip of all the wine, debating which is the best.

“Well, my fucking car broke down.”

“What? Why didn’t you call? Where did it break down?”

“Just down the street. Flat tire, smoking engine. I was going to be early, but then that happened. I tried fixing it, but no luck.”

“You know how to fix cars?” I ask.

“I know a thing or two,” she says nonchalantly. “I called a tow to come get it. It will be fine. I’ll just need a ride home with you, Sav.”

“I guess you’re not too far out of my way,” I wink at her.

“Look at all that muscle,” Valerie says.

Harper and I give her a look, but she is looking toward the bar. My back is toward the bar, and the booth back is high, so I can’t see in that direction.

“I haven’t seen him before,” Harper says. “Damn.”

I lean out of the booth to see who they’re looking at. James, Hudson, and Liam are getting settled on stools at the bar top. I tuck back into the booth, not wanting to be seen, and stay silent. I know that newcomer.