They look at me oddly just before they all start digging into the food that’s laid out on Caroline’s kitchen counter. It’s December 23rd, and she’s having a little get together just for our friend group. No men allowed. God knows where her husband Alex is, but she’s banished him from their home for the evening, which she has somehow turned into a magical winter wonderland.

The decorations are abundant but tasteful. The food is catered and looks delicious. There’s even a holiday-themed drink for the night—cranberry mimosas for all. And they are spectacular.

“What are you talking about?” Candice asks with a frown. She’s still glowing from her tropical honeymoon in Hawaii, her face faintly tanned. How she convinced Charlie to get away for even a few days during the busiest season of the year for his business still blows my mind. She must be really persuasive.

And he must really love her.

After witnessing the two of them at our dinner at Tuscany, I know they really love each other. Their relationship is true goals. Could Isaac and I ever achieve that?

I’m probably getting way ahead of myself.

A sigh leaves me, and I reach for a slice of cheese from the elaborate charcuterie board set out for us to nosh on. “My relationship with Isaac.”

They all make an “oooh” noise as if they planned it, and I can’t help but laugh.

“I want all the deets!” Stella shouts.

“Are you still seeing him?” Sarah asks.

“Please tell me you two have had sex,” Kelsey says.

Caroline nibbles on a cracker. “I just want you happy, Amelia. You’ve suffered enough with the likes of Joe these last few years.”

The ooohs turn to screams of agony, most of it coming from Stella.

“You’re not allowed to repeat his name!” she shrieks at Caroline. They’re best friends and former roommates, so Caroline isn’t offended.

“Oops.” Caroline sends me a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry.”

I’ve been thinking his name for weeks. I even said it in front of Stella that one day at Sweet Dreams, and it’s funny to me that she’s the one who’s currently freaking out the most.

I remain quiet for a moment, really letting it sink in, that his name was said out loud in front of everyone.

Joe. The bane of my existence. My ex-boyfriend, who I was with for so long, and who treated me terribly for the majority of our relationship. I thought it might hurt, hearing someone else say his name, even though it’s probably one of the most common names out there.

“It’s okay,” I finally say, my voice soft. “It doesn’t bother me, hearing his name.”

They all watch me with surprise filling their gazes.

“Really?” Candice is the first one to ask.

“That’s such a good sign,” Stella says with a firm nod.

“I said it in front of you a few weeks ago,” I remind her.

“I figured it was just a slip. A one-off. And I didn’t want to bring it up,” she says. “But now that it’s been said again, I think this means you’re over him.”