Val crosses her arms over her chest in a contemplative gesture. “Oh, yeah. I can’t remember a time when you were completely single, either. Very briefly after you split up from James, maybe. But even that didn’t last long. And James wasn’t your first boyfriend, right? Even though Celeste was your first girlfriend.”

I nod. “I dated a few more guys before I met her, when I still thought I was straight.”

Kiara pats me on the back. “Then maybe it’s good you’re taking a break from dating!” With a guilty look, she adds, “Sorry for pushing you to start dating again so soon after your breakup with James. I thought it would help.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry, too,” Val adds. “For whatever part I played in this.”

I shake my head. “It’s not either of your faults. This is a personal issue of mine that’s been going on way before I even met you guys. I just never realized it until now. I signed up for therapy this week. In the spirit of turning thirty.”

Val lifts her glass up. “Hey, good for you! Take charge of that mental health.”

Kiara and I giggle at Val’s dad energy.

“In all seriousness,” Kiara says. “I’m so proud of you, Gemma. We both are. Yay for working on ourselves in this new decade!”

We throw back our drinks, and I clear my throat. “Anyway, thanks, but enough about me. Sorry, I feel like it’s been nothing but me-me-me since my breakup with James. How is everything going for you guys?”

Kiara shakes her head. “You were going through a lot, Gem. Seven years is a long time. And then all that stuff with Celeste?” She lets out a baffled laugh. “We’re glad we could be there for you. I know you’d do the same if anything happened to us.”

Val’s eyebrows shoot up in panic. “Dios mío, please, let’s not even think about that remote possibility. Especially not after—”

She cuts herself off. Her eyes widen as she shoots a glance at Kiara, who also suddenly looks frantic. Kiara mouths something to her girlfriend that suspiciously looks a lot like Not the right time!

I then realize that neither Val nor Kiara gave me a real answer when I asked them what they’ve been up to. I look from one friend to the other. With a nervous laugh, I say, “You can tell me, whatever it is. What’s up?”

Val sighs. Then without saying another word, she raises her left hand, and so does Kiara. Kiara has rings on almost all her fingers, so it’s not immediately obvious with her, but it definitely is with Val, who never wears any jewelry whatsoever. Except today. And I guess, now, for the rest of her life.