There is a hushed conversation by the front door, but we can’t see who it is yet. It’s a woman for sure, a sweet voice is mixed with Ryder’s, and it sounds as if they are familiar with each other. Does Ryder have a girlfriend in Wicked?

Suddenly, a familiar blonde enters the living room. I almost forgot where I know her from when her eyes light up and she crosses the space to wrap me up in her arms. It’s her overwhelming presence and outgoing personality that rings a bell. She was the girl who greeted us at the gala, who ushered us in and seemed to have a distinct fondness for Hazel. If she was at the funeral today, I didn’t notice, but then again, there were a lot of people there.

“Savannah, I’m so sorry,” she whispers.

“Thank you,” I answer. When she pulls away, I get lost in her kind eyes. She looks behind her and addresses Murph with a wave. I offer her a drink, and when it’s clear she’s sharing an awkward moment with Ryder, I invite her to sit on the patio with me. If I’m being honest, it’s nice to be alone with a woman for a change. Even before I left Hugo, I barely had alone time with other women, but there was always something so comforting about it. Having real girlfriends.

“I hope you don’t mind me barging in. You know, I really admire what you guys are doing. Skipping the formalities to give Hazel the party she would have liked.”

“Well, we did technically have a funeral today,” I said.

“But that party next weekend...it’s genius.”

In the sunlight, Tia’s blonde hair glows like it’s made of light. It makes me incredibly jealous and self-conscious. She’s one of those women who is so beautiful it seems she was created from something completely different than me.

“Thank you,” I answer. “We just want to do one last thing for her.”

She smiles at me, and it isn’t long before I can feel the apprehension, like she’s about to bring up something heavy.

“Savannah, I came here to talk to you, and I want to be honest.”

I sit up in my seat. I already know what this will be about, but I won’t say anything until she does.

“Everyone is talking about the properties that Hazel owned, and it’s only getting worse, the longer we wait. I know the will is being read next month, but they are driving me crazy trying to learn as much as they can. I have reason to believe Colin McAffery is gunning for Murph’s shop.”

“Did he send you over here to try and talk us into selling?”