Dru wasn’t exactly a gossip. She was more of a shit talker who only talked shit when it was to her own personal benefit. Would the news that her former personal assistant was dating Sam Pleasant somehow be to Dru’s advantage? Amanda wasn’t sure. She could anticipate Dru’s needs and her moods, but the inner workings of her brain were still very confusing and unsettling to her. Also, fuck Dru.

Amanda rolled over again and buried her face in her pillow. She’d forgotten to wrap her braids and her scalp was starting to hurt from the tight bun fighting to stay twirled up on the top of her head. She had to get out of bed. Her mom was right. Things would be okay. And if things weren’t okay, then she would move home. She was lucky to have parents who loved her so much, parents who would support whatever decision she made next. Hopefully, her next move wouldn’t be so impulsive.

The sound of her phone ringing had Amanda peeling her face off her pillow. It was her mom’s ringtone.

“Hey, Mom,” she answered. Her voice sounded like she’d swallowed sandpaper.

“Just taking a quick break. I wanted to check on my baby girl.”

“I’m okay. Thank you. I’m still in bed.”

“That’s okay. You get your rest. You’ve been working hard.”

“Well, I have all the free time in the world now,” she said with a mirthless laugh.

“I talked to your dad. You can come home if you need to.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Amanda replied, her voice cracking. She loved them so much, but she didn’t want to go home. Her whole life felt so unfinished. Going home meant giving up. Giving up on Sam and giving up on her dreams. She swallowed and stopped herself from another crying jag. She didn’t have enough water in her body to support one anyway. “I’m going to take a hot shower and then try and come up with a plan.”

“You know you can do this. You’re a McQueen. You can do anything.”

In theory, her mom was right, but she wasn’t back to that level of hopeful determination quite yet. She heard a beep in her ear and when she glanced at her phone, she saw Helene’s name lighting up her screen.

“You have to go?” her mom asked.

“It’s my friend. I think she’s back from her honeymoon.”

“Go talk to her.”

“’Kay. I’ll call you later.” Amanda switched over just before it went to voicemail. “He—”

“Oh my God. Sorry, I know you’re at work. But have you been online yet?”

“Well, no. I’m not at work. I quit.”

“What?! What do you mean you quit?”

“What’s going on online?”