Luckily for us, Ray was 100 percent invested in anything that could help her gain Brooke’s forgiveness, and she’d jumped at the chance to come tonight when Brougham messaged her (it had to be Brougham because she’d, understandably, blocked me on everything she could block me on, even if we were in a sort-of truce).

“When does Brooke get here?” Ray asked, brushing her fingertips along the surface of the table.

“Ainsley should bring her by in the next few minutes,” I said.

“I’m really relieved she agreed to come.”

Brougham and I exchanged a glance. “Well,” I said. “She doesn’t … exactly know this is going on. She thinks she’s agreed to come see me on my birthday as a surprise.”

“Oh.” Ray’s face clouded. “Happy birthday. But … she’s gonna leave.”

“I don’t think she will,” I said. “She’s been miserable since—” I broke them up “—you guys broke up. I think she just needs a chance to hear you out.”

“Speaking of,” Brougham said, looking over his shoulder toward the house.

He was right. I could make out faraway voices. I gave Ray a thumbs-up, and followed Brougham inside.

Brooke stood with Ainsley in the sprawling hallway, looking equal amounts exasperated and bewildered. “Happy birthday?” she said when we entered. “I, um … I’ve never skipped one of your birthdays. It felt weird.”

“A lot of things have felt weird,” I agreed. “I’m really glad you came.”

“Right,” Brooke said, then added, questioningly, “to … Brougham’s place?”

“You know,” Brougham piped up beside me. “It’s just now occurred to me this plan involved you apologizing for a lie by lying.”

Brooke whipped around to face him, eyes wide.

Thanks, Brougham. “You’re not here for my birthday,” I said in a rush. “Ray’s outside, and she wants to talk to you. And we’ve made you guys dinner. And a show, I guess.”

Brooke blinked. “Ray’s here?”

She didn’t look mad.

I perked back up. “Yes, she wants to talk. If you do, too, you can head out and chat for as long as you want to.”

Brooke nodded, then dug through her handbag. “I, um, got you a present. Kind of.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to.” She passed me a box, and I opened it to find about two dozen sample skincare and makeup sachets. I broke into a smile. “Thank you! My stash is so low.” Next to me, Ainsley stuck her head in the box and made an excited gushing noise.

“I bet it is.” Brooke giggled. “And you’re not gonna have much cash to replace them, either, huh?”

My smile faded, and I cleared my throat. “Yeah. True.”

“I’m sorry you lost the locker. And got suspended.”

“It’s not your fault. But thanks.” I turned to Ainsley. “You staying? We have a lot of food.”

“Nah, Mom’s already ordered Chinese. Good luck, though.”