By this point, she rarely thought of her prior life in Oklahoma. Other than a few good friends who kept in touch, there wasn’t much left for Lauren in the state where she was born. Her only contact with her mother was a call on her birthday. She spoke to her dad more frequently, but she certainly wouldn’t consider them close.

Lauren fished her phone from her purse and pulled up the voicemail as she walked through the dappled sunlight to the front door.

Might as well get it over with.

“Lauren, it’s Dad. I was just calling to ask if you were planning to come home for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Several of my staff asked for the holidays off, and I was hoping you might be around to cover some shifts at the store. It’s a good idea to keep up your familiarity with the system, you know, if you decide to—”

Lauren cut the message off, silencing her father’s nasally voice and the guilt-ridden thoughts that arose in her own head. She’d deal with that later.

She stepped into her house. Enough sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains in the entry and living room that she didn’t even flip on a light switch. Ever practical, she’d chosen furnishings that were neutral-colored and cozy, and she felt a sense of calm each time she walked through the door.

She changed clothes, warmed up leftover pizza, and ate in front of the television. Just after seven, her phone buzzed with an incoming message.

Emma: Let’s go out tonight.

Lauren: Meh.

Emma: Come on. I know you’re just sitting on your couch watching some weird ass documentary.

Lauren: Am not.

She was sitting in the oversized armchair.

Emma: What are you doing, then?

Lauren: I don’t wanna say.

Emma: I knew it.

Emma: We’re young, hot twenty-something’s who work hard and deserve a night on the town.

Lauren: But I’m already in my Netflix pants.

Emma: Please? I’ll bring you a Danish from Annie’s on Monday.

Lauren: Damn you.

Emma: McNellie’s at eight?

Lauren: Fine.

She remained in her chair for a few minutes before dragging herself from the living room to her bedroom and stood in front of the open closet. She was a natural homebody, but she needed to put herself out there if she ever wanted to meet new people in this town. She’d made several friends in pharmacy school, but most had moved away after graduation. The first year of residency had been grueling, and she’d barely had time for a social life, but the second year felt more relaxed.