“I know what would help,” Walsh chimes in. “Moral support. From me, on the cruise. It’s practically my sisterly duty.” Her tone is light, but there’s an edge to it I can’t miss.

Tory and Michelle chuckle, but Christina’s eyes pop and she holds up both hands, palms out. “Hold up. Brain wave. What if Walsh did go on the cruise with you?”

I roll my eyes. “Get serious.”

“No, listen, you know how James is always going on about capturing more of the young adult market. Well, what if you brought your own Gen Z along? Someone who’s an outsider you can tap for honest feedback to help you brainstorm. She could be your secret weapon.”

Walsh scoots forward in her seat, eyes sparkling.

“The trip is too expensive…” I begin, but Christina chimes in, brows furrowed.

“Even with the employee family discount?”

I wince at the sharp look Walsh shoots me. “Family discount? Um, how come you never mentioned that?”

“Even if we split a cabin, you’d still have to pay for food and flights. It’d probably cost fifteen hundred dollars, maybe a couple grand.”

Jaw set, Walsh pulls a long gold necklace out from beneath the neckline of her shirt. A fat pearl winks at the end. “I could sell this.”

“Where did you get that?” I ask.

“Keith gave it to me and I don’t want it. It’s real though. I bet I could get over five hundred bucks for it.”

“Okay, that’s enough to cover food, but what about flights?”

Walsh spreads her arms wide. “Airline miles, baby.”

I open my mouth to protest, but she reaches across the table and grips both my hands in hers. “Please, Hennie. I need this. Do you ever feel like you just need to step away from your life so you can see it more clearly? I need time to think, to disconnect. And I’ll be a great sounding board for ideas on the cruise, I promise.”

I turn the idea over, kneading it like dough.

Walsh isn’t exactly the most reliable when it comes to making promises; she’s flakier than a Hot Pocket. Looking for a life-of-the-party, one-person fun machine to go to Vegas for the weekend? Walsh is your girl. Need a ride to the accountant’s office to file your tax returns? She’ll show up, but a half hour late and out of gas.

Pinpricks of resentment needle my spine. Of course, Walsh is making this about her. This is my chance, my opportunity. I squeeze my bottom lip between my teeth.