Miguel was the poster boy for tall, dark, and handsome. He was Phoenix born and bred with a large family who had embraced Sophie as one of their own. The two of them had met during a post-college internship at a graphic design firm in Los Angeles. He’d asked Sophie to marry him within three months of their first date, and she’d said yes and moved to Phoenix to be with him. They’d been together ever since, building their business and their life together. They were relationship goals for me.

“Hi, Miguel,” I said. He was a few inches taller than me and a good hugger. Strong and solid, with an affectionate pat on the back that let you know he really liked you.

He took my carry-on and led the way down to baggage claim. Sophie looped her arm through mine and pulled me close as if she was afraid I’d get away.

“So how was the flight?” she asked.

I laughed. “That’s not what you want to know.”

She blinked at me. “I’m trying to be mature and ease into the good stuff.”

“Please, this is me,” I said. “No easing required. You want to know if I’ve talked to Jeremy since having his ring returned via a messenger.”

“Don’t assume I only want the gossip,” she said. She emphasized the first syllable of the word.

“I see what you did there,” I said. I sent her a mock scowl.

“Cheeky, isn’t she?” Miguel asked. There was a wicked twinkle in his eye.

“Okay, get all your butt jokes out now,” I said.

“I think the moment has passed,” Sophie retorted.

“Much like the ring,” Miguel quipped.

They exchanged a super-annoying high five.

“Remind me again why I agreed to come work for you two nerds,” I said.

“Because you’re fleeing the shitstorm you made out of your life,” Sophie said. She blinked at me. “Oops, I did it again.”

I sighed. “I’m never going to hear the end of this, am I?”

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll stop making cracks about it.” Sophie paused to snort. “In a year or two.”

“Why, oh why, did I buy a one-way ticket?” I asked no one in particular.

“Come on, now,” Sophie said. “Look on the bright side, you don’t have any exes here.”

“Your past has been wiped clean,” Miguel chimed in. They both cracked up.

I rolled my eyes. This was the problem with good friends—they knew all of your damage and were not afraid to abuse you with it. Repeatedly.