Laura looked at her. “You’re a little bit of an overthinker, aren’t you?”

Nina laughed. “What gave it away?”

“Why keep doing it then? You could always say no.”

“Sure.” Nina lifted up the cat briefly and sat on her bed, replacing him more or less where he had been. “But if I say yes, then I get the chance to cancel a couple of days in advance, which is one of my favorite things to do.” Nina giggled. “The only thing better than canceling plans is getting a text from the other guy canceling plans, am I right?”

“No,” said Laura. “I like doing things.”

“I’ve noticed,” said Nina. “It’s exhausting.”

“Not to me,” said Laura calmly.

Nina looked at her new friend’s profile and felt a rush of affection for her. As efficient as Mary Poppins, as honest as Scout Finch, as calm as Galadriel. Laura grinned back and Nina added impulsively, “Don’t you think maybe you should tell Bob how you feel? You know, before he goes away?”

Laura shook her head. “What’s the point? I think Polly’s right, he doesn’t seem interested anymore.” She hesitated. “I think he might be seeing someone else, anyway.”

Nina shrugged. “You don’t have any actual evidence of that, but if you want to use it as an excuse not to say anything, fair enough. I’ve used stupider excuses for sillier things.” She poured herself a glass of wine. “Besides, you should probably kiss him again, you’re an actions-speak-louder-than-words kind of person.”

Laura sighed. “Everyone says so, but I’m not sure what kind of person I am, to be honest.”

Nina sipped her wine. “I know what kind of person you are, I’ve given it some thought.”

Laura looked at her friend wryly. “No, really?”

“Yes, really. You’re the kind of person who walks into a room and makes everyone feel better.”

“Better than what?”

“Better than they were before. You’re calming. Competent. Capable.”

“Despite my crappy fashion sense and inability to drive a car like a normal person?”

“Well, first of all, your fashion sense is improving and wasn’t crappy in the first place, and as for driving, what on earth’s a normal person? What does that even look like?” said Nina. “You had a traumatic experience and you’re processing it. Jeez, give yourself a break.” She looked into her wineglass and fished out a tiny piece of cork she then flicked at Laura. “Anyway, I think you’re very brave because you keep trying, and as a very wise person once said, ‘It’s hard to be brave when you’re only a Very Small Animal.’ ”

“Who said that?” asked Laura.