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I slip back into my clothes while she storms off in search of something better. When I step out of the fitting room again, she’s halfway across the store, aggressively flipping through hangers. Tess lingers near a rack of softer colours, her fingers brushing lightly over the sleeves of a dress hanging near the end.

‘That one is nice,’ I say, nodding toward it.

She glances down at it like she’s only just realised she’s been touching it. It’s a simple, dark-blue backless dress with long sleeves. It would look incredible on her.

‘Oh,’ she says quietly. ‘I wasn’t really looking for anything.’

‘You should try it,’ I say.

Elodie pops up beside us suddenly, eyes narrowing at the dress like she’s assessing it.

‘Yes,’ she says immediately. ‘Tess, that’s a good one.’

Tess hesitates. ‘I don’t know … backless is a little daring for me.’

‘Try. It. On,’ Elodie says, already pushing the hanger into Tess’s hands.

A few minutes later, Tess steps out of the fitting room, smoothing the fabric over her hips. The dress fits her perfectly. Elodie lets out a low whistle.

‘Okay,’ she says. ‘Where have you been hiding that body?’

Tess rolls her eyes, but there’s a faint pink blushing her cheeks.

‘It’s comfortable,’ she says. ‘Surprisingly.’

‘You look really good,’ I say, smiling at her.

Tess glances at herself in the mirror again, like she’s still deciding if she believes us. It’s sad to see how her confidence has wavered since the breakup. Elodie claps her hands.

‘Great. Bryn has her dress. Tess, you have your heartbreak dress.’

‘Heartbreak dress?’ Tess repeats.

‘Yes,’ Elodie says firmly. ‘The one that makes Liam realise he’s made a catastrophic life error.’

That finally earns a laugh from Tess. ‘Fine,’ she says. ‘I’ll get it.’

Elodie beams. ‘Two down,’ she declares dramatically. ‘One to go.’ She turns back to the racks with renewed determination.

A little while later, we step back out onto the street, shopping bags swinging at our sides. The late afternoon sun has softened, casting everything in warm gold. Thankfully, Elodie found a dress. I was beginning to think we would be out all day.

‘Coffee,’ Tess says gently. ‘Please. I’m dying for one.’

Elodie gasps. ‘You? Requesting caffeine?’

‘Yes,’ Tess says simply. ‘It’s been a long week.’ Her voice carries a quiet heaviness that reminds me why I came back. Not only to celebrate with Elodie, but to be here for Tess. She truly loved Liam, and my heart breaks for her, knowing that it didn’t work out. Getting sliced out of someone’s life that quickly hurts deeper than most people care to admit. I’d know.

‘Coffee it is,’ I say.

We duck into a small cafe on the corner, the smell of roasted beans strong from the moment we walk in. Elodie claims a table while Tess and I wait near the counter for our order. She leans lightly against it, arms folded.

‘You didn’t say much about Ryan,’ she says after a moment.

I glance at her. ‘There isn’t much to say.’

Tess gives me a look. ‘He asked you out.’

‘He suggested coffee.’