Page 80 of The Exit Strategy

“It was nothing.” Why is she making this such a big deal?

“You didn’t have to.”

“It was no big deal. They were sending her appeals to the wrong office. They needed to go through the regional one, and I found a fax number. That’s it.” I pause because I genuinely can’t believe that in this day and age, a fax machine was the solution. “Faxing it bypassed the standard queue, so it will only take six weeks instead of six months. The health care system is so fucked up.”

I can feel her watching me—it’s a shift in pressure, something changing in the air.

“Bea thinks you’re good for this place,” she says.

“It was a simple Google search,” I mutter, pulling my shirt away from my sweaty skin.

“She also thinks that this place is good for you.”

“I thought you said we were late for the S&S meeting.”

Katie pulls two wineglasses from the tote at her feet and fills them, then hands me one.

“We’re going, but as your best friend?—”

“Katie, no offense, but I barely know you. Plus, my track record with friendships is shit. Why the hell do you keep insisting that you’re my best friend?”

Her smile doesn’t fade, but her eyes cut straight through me. “Because I’ve been where you are, Juniper, and sometimes in the face of pain, we can’t see what’s right in front of us. Not all friends hurt you, and not everyone you love will leave.” She lifts a delicate brow at that.

“And sometimes, when they do leave, they return with stories that would break your heart,” she says. “You’ve had enough heartache to last a lifetime, so if I have to be your guide on all relationship-y things, then so be it. I’m your best friend because I’m here, showing up every day to show you that sometimes putting your trust in someone new is exactly the thing you need to grow.”

I drink my rosé.

“You look like you’re actively trying not to feel something right now.”

Damn it. Having best friends is a kick to the lady nuts sometimes.

“It’s called a neutral expression,” I quip.

“Honey, on you, that expression is a confession.” She crosses her legs and dares me to contradict her. “For what it’s worth, Cole’s been wearing the same one since the day you arrived.”

I take another, longer sip.

“He’s emotionally available,” Katie adds as though she’s delivering the final verdict. “If you’re wondering, I upgraded him from a four to a six after the festival.”

“I wasn’t wondering.”

“That’s fine. I’m telling you anyway. That’s what best friends are for.”

“You are aware that you gave yourself that title, yes?”

“Mm-hmm. And as your best friend…” She stands, taking her tote bag and bottle with her. “It’s time to go. S&S is waiting, and we have a new…storyline to discuss.”

“Katie,” I hiss.

She simply loops her arm through mine and drags me to standing, then tugs me along through The Haven and straight into the doors of the clubhouse, where Cole is once again holding up the back wall.

I should’ve run away when I had the chance.

“Sabrina’s a slut,”Marley sneers.

“Marley!” I rise onto my knees. Perhaps the second glass of wine wasn’t a good idea. Katie and her freaking heavy hand. “We do not slut-shame people. The 2000s are over,and in this decade, we support people’s choices. Especially women’s. If Sabrina wants to play the field, she should. If she wants to experiment, she should. Everyone should. How will you know what you like and dislike if you don’t try? Sex comes in all flavors now, ladies and gentlemen. And we don’t slut-shame anyone for taking control of their pleasure.”

Yup, Katie will never again be my bartender.