I stare down at my hands, wondering if that’s where I went wrong with James. I’d been so busy with my work at Horizon, giving other people advice or telling them about the best romantic date spots in town, that I took the back seat in my own relationship. Things were so much easier when I followed James’s lead, doing whatever he wanted to do. That is, before he led our relationship into a gaping black hole.

Val jumps off the couch and lets out a big roar of triumph. “Yeah! Take that, Dragonlord Placidusax!”

Startled, I make a face, looking up at the screen in time to see the two-headed dragon disintegrate and blow away in a cloud of dust. “Is that really the dragon’s name?”

“The late dragon’s name,” Val answers proudly.

Sure enough, DRAGONLORD PLACIDUSAX flashes as an achievement trophy on the TV.

Grinning widely like… well, someone that’s just beaten a challenging video game level… Val sets her controller down and grabs an uneaten pizza crust.

As she eats, she glances over at my face and does a double take.

“Oh, no,” she says. “You’re thinking of James, aren’t you? Honestly, fuck that guy. I didn’t tell you all this so you’d feel bad about the past. What I wanted to say is… hell is trying to control people, including yourself. Be nicer to yourself, and let you be you, and let Celeste be herself. If you guys end up taking this further than a business relationship, great. If not, that’s fine, too. Don’t try to force the hand in either direction. Just be sure you know what you want.”

At that moment, the front door unlocks and Kiara walks in, a wine-dazed smile on her face. Burrito shoots out from the bedroom, greeting her with joyful meows.

“Babe!” Val leaps up from Clementine to give Kiara a big hug.

“Aw, babies!” Kiara scoops up Burrito and squeezes Val tight. “I missed you two!”

My friends kiss each other, and I grin.

If that isn’t true love, I don’t know what is.

15: Gemma

On Sunday morning, a full two hours before Celeste and I are supposed to meet, I arrive at Peter’s, a nice coffeehouse that Val, Kiara, and I stop at often since it’s only a five-minute walk from their place. As locations go, I figure it’s the best option, since it’s a brightly lit, wide-open space, pretty much the opposite of the dark and cramped places I’ve been meeting Celeste outside of work lately. It also has such a nice, productive vibe that I hope will help us stay on track.