“Seriously?” I asked. I tried not to think about my poor feet. It was my own fault for trying to be all fancy and wear my big-girl shoes. “I’m embarrassed you gave me a ride this morning. It’s so close. I can walk home in five minutes. In fact, I can’t wait to get to my sweet new pad.”

Soph smiled. It was her pure one hundred percent happy smile. The one she busted out when everything was working according to plan. Soph always had a plan. She plotted her life with the intricacy of a novelist; even her subplots had subplots. I, on the other hand, tended to live my life by the seat of my pants, letting the universe fill in my blank pages as it would. Truly, I sometimes marveled that we were so close, given that my modus operandi was so completely different from hers.

“See you tomorrow,” I said. Then I felt compelled to add, “Bright and early.” Making me want to kick my own ass. Early? I hated early. On time was about as good as I could get and even that was a stretch for me.

“Belly, I’m so glad you’re here,” Soph said. There was an entire unspoken conversation in that sentence, but I got it. Everything in my long day shifted into place at the sincerely relieved expression on her face. My friend needed me, and I was here for it.

“Me too.”

On that sweet note, I left. My feet hurt so bad, I debated using a ride service, but I didn’t want anyone in the office to see me and think I was lame, so I began the trek home, forcing myself to keep my shoes on and trying not to limp.

I crossed Camelback Road and strode up Twenty-fourth Street. My side street was tucked on the west side of the road. I turned and walked past the secluded mansions that sat back on the quiet two-lane road. The yards were so vast, I almost forgot I was in the heart of the city.

Daire’s estate was halfway down the street on the right. I let myself limp the final stretch, almost sobbing in relief when I got to the security gate. I punched in the code and it slid open. I hobbled up the drive to the right that led to the guest house. I used my key to enter, noting that it was getting dark and I hadn’t left a light on.