Monica dragged her palm across her face, exhaling. “Really? That’s why you woke me up? I knew I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Well surprise, surprise, you did.”

“Look, both our childhoods were crap. My mom is dead, my dad is in jail for money laundering and the only person who watched out for me was my grandmother, who at the ripe age of ninety also died. Granted, I didn’t have the horrible experiences you went through but it hasn’t been easy. I could always rely on you though. You are my family, Haven.” A smile played on her lips. “My sister from another mother, but then you also left. You said it’s because you wanted to get a fresh perspective, however, I just don’t believe that.”

“Why do you think I left then?”

She shrugged. “I’m not a psychologist.”

Annoyance oozed like vapor through my veins. “Take a wild guess.”

“Fine.” Monica crossed her arms and tucked her chin to her chest, her signature-thinking pose. After a lengthy silence, she finally spoke. “I think you left because you are afraid of turning into your mother when really you are following in her footsteps.”

I nearly collided with the car in the oncoming lane. “I’m not a drug addict and/or a loveaholic!”

“Hear me out.” Monica waited for my knuckles to loosen on the steering wheel. When they did, she continued. “Your mother hauled you around different cities because of the men she dated, correct?” I nodded. “I think she partially did that not because of the money but because she was seeking a connection.”

“To drugs?” I clarified. “She was a seeking a connection to drugs.”

“No she was a seeking a personal connection and attempted, although badly, to give you a sense of home. The thing is she was partially successful. You have Sumiko, me, my grandmother, Mallory, and you did have Andrew.”

“She didn’t give me any of that—only Sumiko. I cultivated those friendships and connections myself.”

“Maybe, but your mom always came back to Detroit. If she didn’t, we wouldn’t have met and Andrew wouldn’t have entered your life for better or for worse. I understand getting a fresh perspective, but you can do that by going on a vacation. Like your mom, you are seeking a home, somewhere to belong. You thought you’d found it with Andrew and when that went up in smoke, you left. The thing is though—a home isn’t a place, it’s where your friends and family are and amongst the breakup drama: you forgot Mallory, Sumiko, and I are still there in Detroit. Whenever you are ready to return, we will be waiting with open arms.”

Fairy lights strung through the hundred-year-old oak branches lined the walkway. An arch comprised of flowers welcomed the guests into the backyard. A four-piece band and tables clothed in white linen hung to the floor. Due to a wrong turn, Monica and I were late. We’d missed the part of the wedding where Mallory and her now husband were introduced to the crowd as Mr. and Mrs. I was banking on Mallory’s euphoria to overlook our faux pas. Monica made a beeline for the buffet table while I hung back. A substantial amount of people crowded the dance floor, surrounding a glowing Mallory. Her ivory-white wedding gown enhanced her curves and looked more beautiful than it did on an iPhone screen. The wonders of technology had allowed me to be at the dress fitting after I’d moved to California.

Mallory’s husband twirled then dipped her to thunderous applause. Upside-down, she caught my eye and grinned like a manic. Back on two feet, she rushed to toward me.

She threw her arms around my neck, giggling. “You are here! I can’t believe it. I was so worried that you wouldn’t show up for some reason.”

“Of course I’m here. I wouldn’t miss your wedding.”

“You did miss the beginning.”

So it hadn’t escaped her. “Monica was in charge of Google maps, which was an awful idea FYI. She got her lefts and rights mixed up. We ended up on this guy’s thousand-acre property. Thankfully the owner pointed us in the right direction.”

Mallory dismissed my excuse with a flick of her wrist. “Whatever it doesn’t matter. Nothing exciting has happened yet, besides my uncle getting drunk and attempting the splits.”

“That sounds… painful.”

“It was. He is currently icing his crotch on the sidelines.” Her gaze flittered to a paunchy older man, his feet propped up on a chair. “Poor thing realized he wasn’t twenty anymore.”

Monica joined us with a plate full of food. She munched on a chicken leg as if she was at the state fair. “What are you guys chatting about?”

“The demise of our twenties,” I responded.

“Oh yeah, totally sucks.”

Mallory laughed as she grabbed my hands. Jumping up and down, she let out a whoop. “I’m finally married! Can you believe it? I have been waiting to become Mrs. Mcloy since we met. He is so utterly perfect and is going to be an even more amazing husband.”

Her joy was contagious. I found myself leaping into the air with her while Monica stared at us like we had three heads.

Mid-bite, Monica’s eyes grew wide. “Shit.”

Mallory and I stopped leaping. Mallory followed Monica’s gaze to somebody over my left shoulder. Their expressions grew pale.

When I went to turn my head, Mallory screeched. “Don’t look! I’m so sorry, I totally forgot to tell you.”

“Are you kidding me?! How did you forget?” Monica yelled.

“I don’t know. I got lost in the wedding planning then the caterer canceled last minute. It slipped my mind, ok?”

Their panic was beginning to freak me out. “Will somebody for the love of God tell me what is going on?”

Mallory’s hands steepled in a praying position while her eyes begged for forgiveness. “You are going to hate me but I had to. He launched my career as an artist. My sketches have been flying off the shelves and I have my first gallery opening next month.”

“I’m incredibly proud of you Mallory but who is….” Suddenly, it hit me like a thousand pound Mack truck. She was referring to Andrew. Andrew was at the wedding. “How?” My tongue twisted as I fought to find the words. “Why? Really? Where?”

Mallory’s sight lifted. She mouthed another apology before swishing back into the crowd. Monica was about to do the same when I grabbed her arm.

“Don’t you dare leave me,” I bit out.

“Hello, Haven.”

My body locked up and my grip loosened. Monica slid away faster than a panther, abandoning me with the man who’d obliterated my heart. I knew I had to turn around, but there was a difference between knowing what you’re supposed to do and being able to do it.

“I’m guessing since you haven’t returned any of my voicemails, I’m the last person you want to see but….” Irritation edged into his voice. “Damn it! Will you just face me?”

The sensation of moving through syrup enveloped my limbs. My head turned first, followed by shoulders, and then my feet. Andrew appeared exactly the same he did three months ago, except the signature sparkle in his eyes was lost.

“Happy?” I asked. “I’m facing you.”

“It doesn’t have to be this way.”

“Yes it does, because you are married. I shouldn’t even be talking to you.” A waiter passed by with a tray of champagne. I grabbed a flute and downed it one gulp. “Speaking of marriage, where’s your wife?”

Andrew had a matching expression of misery on his face. He dug his hands into his pockets and sighed. Even to my own ears, I sounded like a bitch. That couldn’t be helped though. Seeing him again brought a confusing mixture of love and resentment to the surface. I hated the fact after all this time he still had that effect on me.

“We got divorced,” Andrew said.

His confession tilted the earth off its axis. My heel tripped on an imaginary rock and I sent my hands foreword to cushion my fall. Right before my face ate the grass, Andrew’s arm snaked around my waist. His signature woodsy scent hit me square in the gut.