Liz. She couldn’t stop hearing him say it, couldn’t stop seeing his face every time he’d uttered the nickname. How had she not noticed before that he was different when Liz’s name came up? More importantly, why did she even care? It’s not like they were really engaged. And they certainly weren’t in love.

“I don’t know,” Audrey admitted. “I thought she was just another one of the billion women who have come and gone from his life, albeit with a bit more staying power. But maybe there’s something I’m missing.”

“Maybe she’s his Meredith,” Claire said.

“Or his Bridget,” Naomi said in an ominous voice.

“Who?” Audrey asked, not recognizing either name.

“Scott and Oliver’s ex-fiancées,” Claire said.

“Oh, that’s right,” Audrey said, tapping her fingers on the glass. “I’d forgotten both those guys were engaged before they met you.”

“I try to forget it,” Naomi said, not bothering to keep the possessive note out of her voice. “Bridget bailed on Oliver after both his parents got sick within the same year. She’s dead to me.”

“And Meredith cheated on Scott, sooooo…” Claire trailed off, her statement pretty much saying it all.

“Jeez,” Audrey muttered.

“Hence all those delightful trust issues that Claire and I get to work through with them,” Naomi said with a grin. “Maybe it’s the same with Clarke and this Elizabeth. Maybe all our guys have their individual female version of Brayden. You know. Their demon.”

“Okay, crucial difference,” Audrey pointed out. “Clarke’s not my guy.”

“Sorry, but who bought you that Tiffany ring?”

“And who’s been your other half since, what, age seven?” Claire added.

“You know what I mean,” Audrey said. “It’s not the same. And if you’re asking whether Elizabeth hurt Clarke the way those girls hurt your guys, I don’t think so.”

“He’s never mentioned it?”

Audrey fiddled with her earring. “No.”

“Well, he tells you everything, so maybe she really was just some girl who came and went, who he doesn’t want to get saddled with now just because his weird mom has an agenda. Also, party starts in ten, and as guest of honor, a fashionably late entrance will be no good. We should go,” Naomi said as she put her credit card down on the bill the server had just dropped off.

Claire was watching Audrey closely. “You’re not sure how Clarke feels about this Elizabeth woman.”

“I’m not,” Audrey admitted, though it pained her. “I get the feeling maybe I underestimated the impact her leaving had on Clarke.”

“You think she’s the reason he agreed to let this fake engagement go so far as the fancy party we’re about to go to?”

“I don’t know,” Audrey said as they stood. “But I’m about to find out, with your help.”

“How’s that?”