“And it’s working for you?”

“As much as it can. Can’t wait to get all this time back though.” The moment I say it, I realize how that could stress her out. “Sorry. I know you’ve still got all the checkups. No pressure. Seriously.”

“It’s okay. I get it. Actually, I’ve got one of my first appointments tomorrow.”

“You nervous? ’Cause of the needles and everything?”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” The humor leaves her voice, and I miss it. “I’ve had blood drawn before, obviously. So, I can do it.”

Holly sounds off now. And it’s all my fault.

“You definitely can.” Wanting to get the happiness back in her voice, I change the subject. “Anything interesting happen since I saw you last?”

“Hmm … let me think.” Through the phone speaker, I hear her humming to herself. “Oh, yeah! I almost got into a fight at work on Saturday!”

“Really? What happened?”

Holly proceeds to tell me a story of a bachelorette party with a bridezilla to rival all others.

“Then, when I told her I had to cut her off—and this is after four tequila shots and three Long Island iced teas, I remind you—she literally jumped up on the bar to get at me!”

“No!”

“Yes! And, the whole time, she was yelling about how I was ruining her special day.”

I’m too shocked to laugh, but Holly punctuates the story with her sweet chuckles.

“Did she reach you?”

“No. Terra saw what was happening, so she was already on the other side of the bar, ready to call for security. When this lady started climbing, Terra grabbed her by the hair and pulled her off. You do not want to mess with Terra. She held her until Jimmy, our security guy, came to carry her out.”

“That’s insane.” Knowing that Holly got out okay, I give in to the urge to laugh along with her.

“Well, that’s what I get, working in a bar.”

“Do you like it there? When you’re not getting attacked by drunken bachelorettes?”

That earns me another chuckle, but then her tone turns thoughtful.

“Yeah, I do. For now. The pay is good, and the people are nice. Curt—he owns the bar—lets me help him with the books at the end of the night, so I can get an idea of what running a business is actually like. Honestly, I think that’s been more helpful than half of my classes.”

“So, that’s what you want to do? Own a bar?”

“Not a bar. But, yeah, I definitely want to own a business one day. I haven’t figured out what yet, but I don’t think I want anything to do with food service. The hours are just too crazy.”

“I could see you running a business.”

“Really? You’ve known me for only a few weeks.”

“Yeah. But you have that kind of presence. People listen to you.”

“Most people say I’m bossy.” Her voice betrays her dislike of that description, and I make a note never to call her that.