They’re asking a lot of prying shit. Braithe is floating around superhappy and Tara keeps looking at me like I’m wearing tampons for earrings.

She’s just territorial, Viola sent back. Ignore her and don’t answer any of their questions. They’re always like this with Grant’s girlfriends. Don’t let them play you.

Play her. Grant’s girlfriends.

In the beginning, when she’d first started going to their happy hours, they’d made suggestive comments about Grant’s exes, but Rainy had never taken the bait, had never pried for information about who came before her. He was hers now. It didn’t seem fair to ask questions about his past when she wouldn’t answer any about her own. She heard her name being called and slipped her phone into her pocket, bracing herself. It was Ursa.

“Do you want to go next, or...?”

“I don’t want to go at all,” she said flatly. Ursa nodded once and went back to the group.

Maybe they’d only invited her to see where she stood with Grant. Was it possible that the entire year she spent going to their little gatherings they’d been fooling her, making her think they were her friends when—

“Hey, Ursa said you seemed upset.” Braithe stepped around the corner and Rainy froze.

“I...just don’t feel great.”

Braithe’s eyes crinkled in concern. “Yeah, we don’t always drink that hard. Well, you can go next if you like, and then head out early.”

Rainy’s mouth was dry, and she felt the buildup of pressure in her chest. She knew what was coming and she didn’t want to have a panic attack in front of them.

“I need the bathroom.” She looked around desperately and spotted the sign. She tossed Braithe her best I’m sorry look and darted for the back of the store. From somewhere behind her, she heard Braithe tell the others that Rainy was sick.

Once locked in the bathroom she called Grant, her panic increasing from drizzle to downpour. This had been a mistake of epic proportions, coming here—especially here—with these women. She called his cell; it rang twice before going to voice mail. What could he be doing at this time of night? Get a grip, Rainy. He’s in a different time zone. She slid her phone into her back pocket and covered her face with her hands.