“So now think about what you said again. Do you think you are just a savior project for him?” Tilting her head to the side a little, her eyebrows rise, and her lips give a small uplift, waiting for me to answer.

“How do you know so much? You’re just like him. You can read me, and it’s annoying.” I laugh a little, smiling back at her.

“I have made a living out of reading and counselling people. It’s what I was put on this earth to do. To help people who can’t get out of their own way.” Cherie starts to giggle.

“Yep, that’s me. You nailed that in one sentence.” Reaching out, I put my hand on her arm, to which she looked as shocked as I am that I did it.

“Thank you, your words are more important than you know. But can we keep that between us? These people know more about me and my life than I ever wanted to share.”

“Oh, I hear you, sister. I have told them more about me than I ever anticipated, but it was needed at the time. But it’s all safe with me, and I just hope I’ve helped you see that this is much more than you keep telling yourself it is. You might have started at lust, but both of you are way past that now. Eventually you need to let go of those chains that are holding you back. But you’ll know when it’s the right time, and nobody gets to decide that but you.” Cherie places her hand gently on top of mine and gives it a little squeeze before moving it away again.

“Now enough of this heavy talk, but just know, I’m always here as a friend, or if you ever want to get some exercise and do a boxing session, let me know. You’d be surprised what it will do for some of that tangled mess in your head. Just think about it.” Picking up her glass, she tilts it to me to indicate that we need refills.

“Let’s get back to the celebrations and have some laughs, because Forrest’s laser-beam stares at me are getting a bit much. He is trying to melt me from a distance so he can get you back.” We both start giggling as we walk back to the group, and my laugh gets deeper as he heads straight for me.

“See, I told you. ‘Doesn’t share well with others’ was probably on every school report card,” Cherie whispers to me, and we both can’t stop laughing now.

“You are so right,” I reply as she heads off over to where Elouise and Tori are standing.

“Should I be worried about that little talk?” Forrest asks, pretending he is joking, but I know he isn’t really.