AI

to say it, I n

ion, tilting her head back as she took a slow sip

d to like him." I sno

t need to try, and now that you've finally kicked his

er glass in

free

ugh, though it came ou

ed softly, clinking

or a moment, her

re free, Elaine. Free of that deadbeat leech and his nonsense.

e. "It's just... I don't know. I spent so many years putting u

ke you just dropped a thousand-pound weight off

ittle, but only bec

ve known it for a long time, but I'd let myself believe

ore to myself than to

ine, you're twenty-seven. You've spent the last five years dragging dead weight while worki

sink in as I sta

I w

han long shifts at the nursing home, where I spent

wanted to walk into a room and own it, to feel p

money. Lo

er, ever feel small

of my thoughts. "You're not gonna sit here and mope about that loser. You'

eated quietly,

ne on her fingers, smirking at me at the last list. "Because you deser

ords

settl

ess than I wanted, for less than I deserved, for sc

r and looked up at her, someth

ight." I

you just admit I'm right twice in on

couldn't stop the small

Don't let it g

, babe, you can do this. You're strong, you're smart, and you're a knockout, don't think I

d, laughing d

go far, Elaine. You just have to stop holding yourself back. No more bending over for

lt like something in me had shift

olve solidifying with e

anyone's will. I'm going to do whatever it takes to ge

" Gigi grinned, raising her glass. I picked u

ing free,

s yours," Gigi r

ds wash over me. I was done being the wo

ng to tak