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We pull apart and I can’t help but smile at her glowing face. “There was no way I was missing my best friend’s wedding.”

“Now that you’re here, the party can officially start,” she says, grabbing one of our suitcases and wheeling it toward the exit. “We’re going out to the club later tonight with the girls.”

Before I can even open my mouth to protest, Mabel reads my mind. “And don’t worry, my mom already offered to watch Anya.”

I hesitate. “Oh, I don’t want to be a bother. I’m sure I can find a sitter—”

“It’s no bother at all,” Mabel cuts in firmly. “She’s been looking forward to it.”

We reach Mabel’s car and load the bags into the trunk. Helen has always been more of a mother to me than my own stepmom ever was.

She baked me cookies and cakes on my birthdays when no one else in my family cared. She was the one who hugged me when things got bad at home. Having her watch Anya feels safe… but I still feel a little guilty.

We climb into the car, and the second the doors close, Mabel throws her hands up in the air and lets out an excited scream.

“My girl is back in town!” she yells. “New York better watch out! We’re about to have the best week ever!”

Anya giggles from her booster seat in the back.

I lean my head against the window, watching the city lights streak by, and try to ignore the nervous flutter in my stomach.

I’m going to try to enjoy this. But I can't help counting the days until we can go back to the quiet safety of New Jersey.

I can’t even remember the last time I stepped foot inside a club. Between long work hours and being a mom, there’s barely any time left for me.

Honestly, I didn’t go out much even before Anya was born, but tonight… tonight actually feels like a welcome reprieve.

Mabel, Lucy, Angie, and I walk into Cloud 9, a sleek high-rise club in Manhattan.

Mabel had booked the bachelorette party here months in advance, so we skip the long, angry queue outside.

The bouncer simply nods at her name and waves us through with a polite smile while the people still waiting shoot us dirty looks.

The moment the heavy doors close behind us, the city noise disappears and we’re swallowed by pulsing bass.

The club is stunning, mirrored walls reflect the moving lights and bodies on the dance floor.

We’re ushered straight to a private VIP section on a raised platform overlooking the main dance floor.

It’s gorgeous, plush velvet couches in deep charcoal.

“This is going to be epic!” Lucy grins, already shimmying in her seat.

“I’m so happy you’re here, Rosie,” Angie adds, squeezing my arm. “The squad is finally back together!”

I smile, genuinely touched. The four of us have been friends since high school, but Mabel has always been my person, the one who knows everything.

Lucy and Angie know about Anya, of course, but they don’t know the real reason I left New York so suddenly four years ago. They’ve never pried about Anya’s father, and I’ve never offered the truth. I’m grateful for that.

Drinks arrive quickly, colorful cocktails in chilled glasses carried over by smiling servers.

“It’s on the house,” one of them says brightly.

Lucy lets out a loud gasp, Angie claps her hands, and Mabel squeals like she just won the lottery. The excitement around the table doubles instantly.

We all raise them and knock them back in one go.

Mabel slams her empty glass down with a dramatic sigh. “This is my last hurrah before I become a married woman. I want to have fun tonight!!”