Page 133 of Semantics

“Hey,” Enya greeted when they walked in. “Sarai is at the bar, ordering us drinks. I told her to just get your usuals. Hope that’s okay.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Stella said for both of them, and they sat down across from her in the booth.

Arlowe sat down next to Enya and said, “Hey. About time. You’re late.”

“By one minute. We had to park,” Violet said.

“We, huh?”

“Oh, calm down. We’ve been together for over a year, and the we thing started a long time ago. You should be over it by now.”

“So, what is it that you needed to talk about?” Arlowe asked and took a sip of her beer.

“We should wait for Sarai. And in case you’re going to make fun of us again, I meant the whole group. That’s the we I was referring to,” Violet said.

Arlowe laughed.

“Who’s that?” Stella asked.

Violet followed her gaze and noticed Sarai talking to a woman at the bar.

“Maybe someone is finally about to get lucky. It’s been a while for her,” Arlowe suggested.

“No, wait. I recognize her. Why does she look familiar?” Enya asked.

“Because it’s Gabrielle,” Violet replied.

“Gabrielle? As in, Gabi?”

“I think so. Looks like her, anyway. Older, obviously,” Violet said to Arlowe.

“Who’s Gabi?” Stella asked.

“We all met her in Amsterdam. She was, like, eighteen, back then, I think,” Violet explained. “She’s an American, but she was living in Paris, going to some international school because either her mom or dad was a diplomat or something. I don’t remember exactly. Sarai introduced us to her when she came to Amsterdam for the weekend.”

“They had a fling?” Stella asked.

“No, Gabi was too young for Sarai, in her mind. And I get it. Four years isn’t a big deal when you’re in your thirties, but it is when one of you is eighteen and on a gap year, and the other is twenty-two, about to graduate college. They met through some connection with their parents, or maybe it was Sarai’s aunt. I really don’t remember much about it, honestly. They didn’t stay in touch, I don’t think. I can’t believe she’s here.”

“Me neither. Sarai told me that Gabi wanted to stay in Europe to go to school and then, possibly forever. Maybe she’s here on vacation or just visiting family,” Arlowe suggested.

“Maybe,” Enya said.

Violet watched Sarai nod toward the table. Gabi looked over and waved when she realized they were all sitting there.

“They’re coming over. Act cool,” Enya added.

“We weren’t acting cool already?” Stella asked. “And, Arlowe–”

“Oh, my God! I know. You meant we as in the whole group. I’m letting it go.”

Violet smiled at Arlowe and patted Stella’s knee.

“Hey, do you guys remember Gabrielle Durand?” Sarai asked as she placed the drinks she’d ordered for them on the table. “Gabi, you remember Violet, Enya, and Arlowe?”

“Yeah, hi. Wow! Small world, huh?” Gabi said.

“And this is Violet’s girlfriend, Stella. She was actually in Amsterdam when we all were, but they just got together about a year ago.”