As we talk about politics and minor bartender drama at Golden Years, and the ridiculous sexcapades of Raj’s roommate, the fog of sadness that’s followed me around since yesterday begins to clear. Raj is a fierce conversationalist—he has this way of talking passionately with his hands and listening closely that makes me feel like he really cares. From time to time, he has to dart away to take care of a bar patron, but he always returns to pick up the conversation seamlessly.

And then suddenly, Raj glances past me toward the door of the bar. It’s loud in here, but I can just make out familiar voices. I turn and see Sophie, Liv, Carmen, Jess, and even Sasha and Caroline from college. I haven’t seen Sasha and Caroline in months—I can’t believe they’re here. The group weaves their way through the crowd to surround me with hugs.

“Surprise!” they shout.

Carmen places a rhinestone tiara on my head, and Sophie is carrying a small bunch of sunflowers wrapped in paper.

“You guys! What are you doing here?!” I squeak.

They look sheepishly at Raj. “It was his idea,” Jess explains.

I spin back on the bar stool to face him. “You did all this for me?”

He scratches the back of his neck and blushes. “I may or may not have snuck into the back to text Carmen, who helped organize this whole thing.”

“Raj!”

“You said you wanted a distraction! I figured a surprise party would be a pretty good one.”

I feel overwhelmed with love and support, not to mention a little choked up. It’s been an active day for my tear ducts. I reach across the bar to give him the biggest hug I can manage from this angle.

“You’re amazing,” I whisper into his ear.

“It’s a little short notice for an engagement party—or a breakup party or whatever this is—but I wouldn’t miss it,” Sasha says.

“Anyway, this sounds juicy, so . . .” Caroline says. She’s never missed a good piece of gossip in her life.

I roll my eyes and laugh. Who knew I could still laugh? “Ha, it’s a doozy.”

I look around at the bar. “Mmm, I don’t see any more seats right now, but maybe some will open up?”

“Actually, I got another bartender to cover the rest of my shift,” Raj says. “He’ll be here in a minute, and then I thought we could go up to the roof.”

I’m floored by how quickly he pulled together such an incredibly thoughtful gesture.

“Dude, I love you,” I blurt out.

“God, stop pretending to be in love with everyone,” Carmen groans. “I can’t keep up!”

• Chapter 22 •