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Audri walked in with a platter of appetizers. “I want some.” She wore her black hair in a side braid.

“Sorry. My bad.” Kiera laughed, pouring Audri and me a glass.

I sipped the wine, letting it seduce my mouth before swallowing. It had an earthy flavor with a mild level of sweetness.

“Did you know that bamboo wine has medicinal properties?” I’d done my research when I first got the bottles.

“Forrest uses bamboo for his alternative medicine,” Kiera said.

“The wine can potentially help with digestion and lowering blood pressure,” I added.

“In moderation,” Audri added. “Anything to the extreme reverses its effect, right?”

“Yup. That goes with anything. Even food.” I reached for a small dumpling and popped it into my mouth. I sat on the soft floor pillow close to the coffee table.

“I love how light it tastes,” Audri said.

“Arrow gave me the wine. He’d like your honest feedback.”

“How come he didn’t give us a bottle?” Kiera looked at me suspiciously above the rim of the wineglass. “What’s going on between you two?”

“Nothing!” I said too quickly. “He was at the wine expo and gave me some to bring home. He asked for an honest review. That’s all.” My heart raced for no reason.

“Uh-uh.” Kiera wagged a finger at me.

Audri placed a hand on my shoulder and said in an amused tone, “We don’t buy it.”

Oh no.I recognized that look in her eyes. Audri sat down beside me.

“Buy what?” I played coy and made everything worse.

The girls laughed.

“Your ability to lie is awful.” Kiera beamed.

“We’ve all been there, babe. Tell us what’s on your mind. You started the text earlier, so youhavesomething to tell.”

“What if I just missed hanging out with my girls?” I finished my wine, and Kiera refilled it.

“You’ve missed the last few gatherings and now you’re suddenly in need of one? You need our advice. C’mon, we’re all ears.” Audri propped an elbow on the table, resting her chin on her palm, eyeing me.

Kiera did the same.

I grinned at the curious faces looking at me. They could read me. I’d declined the last few invitations because of more pressing matters. Following up on clues regarding Aimee’s whereabouts took time. I had to fly back to meet with the judge on Kaylee’s adoption case, and my dad had an urgent heart surgery. But I didn’t tell them any of this.

They had given me the privacy I needed. That was genuine friendship, wasn’t it? The wine relaxed me just as I had hoped. I had to eliminate these feelings for Arrow. Maybe they could tell me he was an ugly jerk, that I’d be better off liking someone else.

Yes. Perfect.

What should I tell them?

“You’re having a private conversation with yourself.” Kiera smiled at me. “Want to share?”

I couldn’t hide anything from them.

“We’re friends, aren’t we?” Audri asked. “Do you trust us?”

“Of course, I do.”