Kate’s name hovered unspoken between them.

“Just take care of yourself. That’s all we’re asking.”

Stevie shut the truck door harder than necessary when they left and made it all the way back to the house before she turned in her seat. “Still want a beer?”

“Oh, you’re speaking to me, now?”

“You were a jerk.”

“Stevie—”

“Also I’m sorry I ratted you out to your mom.”

Morgan laughed. This was one of the things she loved about Stevie: she didn’t hold grudges. “And I’m sorry I snapped at you.”

They stopped by the house. Angie wasn’t home, so they settled for cajoling Lillian out of her sweatpants and into jeans and made their way to Stormy’s.

“I’ve seen more of you this last month than I have in ages,” Stormy said with a gratified smile when they walked in.

“Forced time off,” said Morgan.

“Also Morgan was mean to me,” Stevie said.

“Boifriend.”

“She deserved it.”

“Look at those baby blues.” Stormy leaned over the counter and squeezed Stevie’s cheeks. “She’s the picture of innocence.”

“Or the picture of Dorian Gray,” said Lillian.

“Who’s Dorian Gray?” Morgan looked between the three of them.

“It’s a literary reference,” Stevie said airily. “I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”

“Here’s a reference for you,” Morgan began, but Stormy scooted their usual drinks across the bar and Morgan had to concentrate on not letting the head of foam spill over. She had a suspicion Stormy had poured the beer badly on purpose.

“Go grab a table and I’ll join you in a minute,” Stormy said. “I’ve got customers.”

Barely five minutes had passed when Stevie perked up, looking like a golden retriever with a squirrel in its sights. Morgan had a premonition this didn’t bode well for her, and wished Angie had been able to join them to keep Stevie in check.

“Hey.” Stevie nudged Morgan with her elbow. “Your friend’s here with another woman.”

“What?” Confused, she followed Stevie’s meaningful gaze to the register, where Emilia and a woman with a curvier figure surveyed the menu. “Oh. That’s her sister.”

“We should say hello,” said Lillian.

Stevie had already slid off her stool and sauntered over. Morgan experienced several temperature extremes as the blond ponytail bobbed away.

“You okay?” Lillian asked.

“Yeah,” Morgan said in a croak. Even from here, she could see that Emilia’s eyes were red as if she had been crying, and she wore an oversized man’s sweater with leggings and a defeated set of her shoulders. Nell pressed herself close to her person and eyed the crowd dubiously. Morgan’s heart leapt across the space between them as Emilia laughed at something Stevie said, then raised her eyes to look around the room until she found Morgan.