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She looked up, a small self-deprecating smile tugging on her mouth. “I’m sure it won’t come as a surprise to you to know I don’t have many friends. My mom and dad moved to Florida a couple years back. They’ve been staying with me since it happened, but eventually they’ll have to go back to their own lives, you know. When they do, I won’t really have anyone to go to.”

“You can always come to me,” I offered instantly, not an ounce of hesitation. She looked at me with surprise as I shrugged and continued, “Look, we might not have been friends before this, but I never disliked you. I just didn’t understand the need to compete with every little thing.”

Her expression turned remorseful. “I’m really sorry. That’s why I came here today. I wanted to apologize for being such a raging bitch for so long. I’ve treated you terribly all this time, and you still came to look for me because you were worried.” Her throat bobbed on a thick swallow, her eyes going glassy. “I don’t know where I would be right now if you hadn’t shown up that day and held my hand through the whole thing.”

“Angela, that isn’t something you need to think about. I showed up because I care. We might not have been friends, but we have one thing in common. We’re both part of the sisterhood. That means we look out for each other. That isn’t going to change on my part. You need me, all you have to do it say so, and I’m there. And as far as apologies go, consider yourself forgiven.”

She sniffled, more tears falling as she gave me a sad, watery smile. “I don’t deserve that.”

I lifted my shoulder in a shrug. The tightness that had been in my chest since my fight with North the night before finally loosened, thanks to the new friendship budding right in front of me. “That’s not up to you to decide, is it? That’s my choice. And I choose to forgive you. And, if you want, to be your friend.”

Her smile went from sad to real, the sadness and a little of the fear draining from her in a way I could see as her body loosened ever so slightly, sinking more comfortably into the furniture. “I think I’d really like that,” she admitted quietly.

“Then consider it done.”

The air in the room changed, growing calmer. “So what was that you were doing when I came in?”

“That?” I pointed to my cushion and the crystals set up around it. “I was meditating. It helps calm me when my emotions are all over the place. It’s a way to slow down when it feels like everything around you is moving at warp speed.” I could see the interest in her gaze as she looked at my setup, so I offered, “You want me to show you how? It might be good for you, especially right now with your emotions in an upheaval.”

Her head came back around, her attention on me. “You wouldn’t mind?”

I shook my head and smiled. “Not at all. Like I said, I’m here. Whatever you need, if I can help, I will. Let’s start with some meditation. And if that doesn’t work . . .” I waggled my eyebrows playfully. “I know where my mom keeps her pot.”

Angela’s head fell back on a long, deep belly laugh that warmed me from the inside out. “You know what? I think I just may have to take you up on that.”

She hung around a while longer. We didn’t get into my mom’s stash, but I did guide her through a long, soothing meditation, and when she opened her eyes after, there was a peacefulness in her gaze that hadn’t been there before.

When I walked her to the door later that afternoon, she shocked me by lunging forward and pulling me into a bone creaking hug. “Thank you,” she whispered into my hair, her voice watery with emotion. Just the sound of it made my own eyes well up. “For everything you’ve done for me, Iris. I’ll never be able to repay you for your kindness.”

I gripped her gently by her arms and moved her back so she could see the seriousness in my expression as I said, “If I expected you to repay me, it wouldn’t have been a kindness, it would have been a debt. I’m not in the habit of going around collecting debts. I am, however, a big fan of collecting friends. Speaking of, me and mine are planning a ladies’ night out sometime soon. If you want, we’d love for you to join us.”

“I’d really like that. See you soon, Iris.”

“Absolutely.”

TWENTY-SEVEN

NORTH

My heart was lodged in my throat, and my stomach was twisted in knots. A clammy sweat beaded across my forehead as I stared at my phone. I knew what I had to do. I’d fucked up with a lot of people, and it was long past due to start making things right.

And I was starting with the hardest one first.

Tapping on the screen of my cell phone, I brought it to my ear and counted the rings. One and a half before my mother’s voice carried through the line.

“North?” The hope and trepidation in that one word broke my heart. God, I hated how much I’d hurt my parents with my silence.

“Mom,” I said on a croak, all the emotion I refused to let myself feel since I put my plan into motion soaking that single word.

“Oh, baby.” I could hear the tears in her voice, but also the smile.

Pressing my fist into the cold countertop in my kitchen, I squeezed my eyes closed and lowered my head, letting myself feel everything I’d been protecting myself from since we lost Cora. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m so goddamn sorry.”

“Oh, my sweet boy. You were forgiven before you even picked up the phone. My heart just needed to know you were safe.”

I couldn’t help but smile. I hadn’t let myself think about how much I’d missed my parents, but hearing my mother’s voice was enough to fill a void inside me I didn’t realize was there. “I am. And I have so much to tell you.”

“Well, honey, it’s a good thing I’m all ears. Tell me everything,” she insisted.