Page 53 of Cava with My Colleague

She fits into his world in a way I never could. She’s elegant, put-together, settled. Probably has a career and a nice apartment and doesn’t spend her Saturdays buying riding crops in Chueca.

What did I expect?

I deserve a mental slap for that thought. I’m not jealous. I’m not. One kiss doesn’t mean he owes me anything.

It’s just the horniness talking. Please just be the horniness talking.

When the hotel staff shoos me away, I put my things up in the hotel room and retreat to the bar. It’s crowded, and it takes me almost fifteen minutes before I have a drink in my hand and a food order placed.

I check my phone and I have new messages in our group chat. Sara sent a picture from Austin. It’s the corner unit in a strip center, the facade plain other than the sun-bleached brick stained with the outline of a sliver of moon and an illegible business name, the signs having been freshly removed.

But even without the sign, I still know exactly where she is—the bar where the four of us became best friends.

Sara

OMG. It’s the end of an era.

Tessa and Emma have responded with crying emojis, and the chat is full of reminiscing about the times we met at Luna Wine Bar over the past decade.

I sip my cava and text back.

Jade

Less than two months until I move back! I can’t believe I won’t be able to have one last glass of wine there.

Tessa

I wish we’d known. I would have been tempted to fly back.

I snap a picture of my wine and send it to the group.

Jade

In honor of a great many wines consumed there.

I’m putting it on record: if any of us ever moves back to Austin and we can’t find a reasonable wine bar I will take it as a personal affront and I will not be responsible for my reaction.

Tessa

What would your reaction be?

Jade

Dramatic. Sustained. Legendary.

I stare at the picture Sara sent for a moment. Sun-bleached brick, the ghost of the moon logo still visible. Ten years of birthdays and breakups and ordinary Tuesdays in that place. The night Tessa told us she was breaking up with James. The night Emma admitted her marriage was over. The night I got the Madrid offer and Sara said go, obviously, go before I’d even finished the sentence.

Jade

Emma, remember your 42nd? When Tessa accidentally ordered the magnum and we had to finish it because you refused to waste good wine?

Emma

I was ill for two days.

Jade

Worth it though.