any dinner. They always did this when a new hire joined-some absurd tradition that I had allowed to persist. Not because I cared, but be

g, their excitement infectious. For a brief moment, I wonder

never

oria and Chelsea. Somehow, against all odds, we had remained close, even as our lives diverged in almost every conceivable way. Gloria, the practical one, had settled into the life she

Samira's voice came through, as calm and composed as e

ht of her words before I could resp

ay, but I assu

r her, rolling my eyes. "I

s, m

amira. Ignore

s, m

last year, she had become obsessed with the idea of me settling down. "Your father would have wan

n't care about any of that. Love, marriage, children-they were distractions. My lif

also a message from Gloria, reminding me to RSVP for her baby shower next m

there wa

ain, and her name f

oment before answering. "Chel

g. "Relax, ice queen. I'm not here to ru

k in o

Yo

helsea, I don't need

t of concern. "But humor me, okay? I know you. You're probably up there i

myself. "You're n

all morning about how worried she is about you, and I th

"Chelsea, I appreciate the thought, but I

working. When's the last time you did something for y

the bridge of my nos

of the corporate world, and you don't have time for

hasing after men who don't deserve her," I

for a moment, I thought she might hang up. Then she l

"Chelsea, I'm sorry. T

I do tend to... get caught up in the wrong things. But that's why I worry about you. I don't w

he city skyline. "I know what I want, Chels

y. "Just promise me you'll think abo

'll think

ous, terrifying self. And don

small laugh

you,

ou too,

Chelsea always had a way of getting under my s

ds lingered lon

. The only man I ever considered leaving this life for. He had been

ent lives. He wanted stability, a family, and a qui

es about our lives. The last I heard from him, he was planning his

ok the longer route, passing through a busy part of the city. It was Friday, and the streets were alive. Groups

t just about work." I hated how her voice ma

und myself reaching for my phone. I stared at the screen for a long mo

e immediately dramatic. "I thoug

id evenly. "I'm cal

wer my calls anymore. It feels li

m, I've been bus

point of all this work if you can't even call

just come back from that cruis

d hear the embarrassment in her tone. "A mother wa

my seat. "I'm sorry, Mom. I

t worry about you. You're not getting any younger, Aria. Don'

y life is exactly

gh? What happens when you're

mit. "Let's not do this tonight, Mom. I c

it go-for now. But don't forget,

aid quietly. "

y dear. Call m

Ok

car pulled up to my apartment building. The city