“I am.” It was strange how the words settled down into her. And they felt better the longer she thought about them. The feeling so distracted her that she didn’t realize at first that Stacia was taking a long time to respond.

Her friend reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Look, you know I like LJ. He’s a good man, and that’s so far out of style these days they don’t even have an emoji for it. But he’s been gone for almost a week, and he hasn’t called once, so . . .”

“We didn’t leave on the best of terms.” Andra glanced down. “It wasn’t anything either of us could help. I need to get out of here for a while, you know? He’s told me so much about New Orleans that I kind of want to see it anyway. And I think in person, it might be easier to talk this through. I know him, Stacia. He’s not mad. He’s hurting, and I need to make him better.”

Stacia sat up and pulled her into a hug. “You take care of you, Andra. If that means going to New Orleans, I’ll buy the gas myself, but make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons.”

“I’m so glad to have you back,” Andra murmured into her tangled hair. “I didn’t want to drag you into my shit, but I missed you the whole time.”

Stacia pulled back and pinched her arm. “Well, knock it off now.”

Andra burst out laughing, rubbing the sore spot. “Thanks a lot.”

“Promise you’ll call me if it doesn’t work out, okay? I’ll fly down there, and we’ll see if we can’t show Bourbon Street how much damage a couple of country girls can do.” Stacia sighed. “I bet they have loads of sequins there.”

“Loads.” Andra stood up. “I’ll bring you back some if you promise to spoil Gracie for me while I’m gone. And guilt-trip Jason into exercising her.”

Stacia lay back, waving a tired hand. “No problem. That brother of yours will do anything for a blow job.”

“Ew. Talk about an image for my nightmares.”

“Got to keep you awake behind the wheel.” Stacia pulled the pillow back over her face. “Drive safe.”

Once outside, Andra started the truck and drove to her next stop. Last one before she hit the road. She braced herself.

The main house was unlocked, too. But she was apparently terrible at sneaking in, because her father met her before she was halfway to the second floor. He was bare chested, the pooch of his belly extending a little past his belt. His hair was smashed flat in the back from his pillow.

“Andra, what’s wrong?”