Page 12 of Iris Kelly Doesn't Date

Addison barely batted an eye though. “Oh, she is. I Instagram-stalked her when we got their wedding invitation.”

“You did?” Maeve said. “What’s she like?”

“Here, I’ll show you,” she said, pulling her phone out of her pink cashmere coat. “She’s gorgeous. And Grant lookssohappy.”

The family huddled around Addison, quickly joined by Emma and Charlie, all of them oohing and aahing over Grant’s perfect new life in Portland with his perfect new dream woman.

Iris stood alone and wished for an asteroid to collide with earth.

“My god, these two will have such beautiful babies,” her mother cooed, clasping her hands to her chest as she ogled the screen.

And that was the last goddamn straw.

Without a word to anyone—her father had long disappeared into his study for some peace and quiet and, honestly, fuck the rest of them—Iris grabbed her coat and bag from the rack in the foyer and slipped out the front door. She didn’t dare slow down but headed straight for her Subaru parked on the curb, started the engine, and peeled down the street so fast, she was positive she left tire marks on the asphalt.

At this time of night, the two whole stoplights in Bright Falls were blinking yellow, so she didn’t stop until she parked outside her apartment building in downtown. She shut off her engine, but then flopped her head against her seat instead of getting out. She glanced up at her unit’s window on the second floor—she hadn’t left any lights on. She always forgot to do that when she left for the evening, but tonight, for some reason, the idea of walking into her place in the dark, alone... it all felt like a bit too much.

She dug her phone out of her bag and texted the group chat.

Iris:You won’t believe what my mother did tonight

She waited for someone to respond. The chat’s name was currentlyI’ve Got a Queery, but it changed on the regular, usually because Iriswas bored or sitting at home alone while everyone else participated in their domestic bliss and—she could admit it—she was vying for some attention.

She stared at the screen.

Nothing.

She tried again.

Iris:Actually you probably would believe it

Iris:I think I might be engaged to a fitness icon. It’s unclear

She added a bicycle emoji, followed by a diamond ring, still to no avail.

There was a time when their group chat was on a constant stream, hardly quiet for even an hour. Iris knew it was to be expected for things to take a little longer these days—everyone was coupled up, living together.

Everyone but Iris.

Her throat went a little tight and she gave herself a mental slap, then set her thumbs to work again.

Iris:ALL RIGHT LOVERS, CODE RED OVER HERE!

Then, finally, a response. Iris ignored the way her heart literally fluttered in her chest with relief.

Astrid:Stop yelling

Iris:I am most certainly not yelling. I’m cajoling

Delilah:You’re yelling

Iris:Astrid and Delilah agreeing, well, my my

Delilah:

Claire:Were they cute, at least? Your mom’s setup?

Iris:He was orange. And hated Diet Coke