Page 7 of Upgraded Friendship

“Go ahead, I’ll hold down the fort here,” I reply, gesturing for her to investigate.

Alice approaches the table with practiced ease, her friendly demeanor putting the patrons at ease as she begins to assess the situation. Moments later, she returns with a little card in hand, a perplexed expression on her face.

“Found this at the table where your sister and her friend was sitting earlier. I don’t know who it belongs to, but I remember seeing your sister’s friend—Andrea yeah that’s her name— I remember seeing her with something like this,” Alice explains, handing me the wallet with a quizzical look.

I inspect it closely, noting the sleek design and the initials on the front.

“Hmm, I guess it’s Andrea’s. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Alice. I’ll take care of it,” I say, grateful for her quick thinking.

Alice nods, her eyes lingering on the card for a moment longer before returning to me with a knowing look.

“No problem, boss. Just doing my job,” she replies, a hint of mischief in her voice.

I chuckle at her playful demeanor, appreciative of her dedication to her job.

“Well, I’ll make sure to give Andrea a call and let her know we’ve got her wallet. Thanks again,” I say, already mentally preparing to handle the situation.

With a nod of acknowledgment, Alice heads towards the exit; her shift is officially over for the night. As she disappears into the darkness outside, I turn my attention back to the wallet in my hand, a sense of responsibility settling over me.

I decide to go to Andrea’s place to return it personally.

When Andrea opens the door, her eyes are red-rimmed, and it’s clear she’s been crying. My heart clenches at the sight, and all thoughts of returning the wallet fly out of my mind as I pull her into a comforting embrace.

“Andrea, what’s wrong?” I ask softly, my voice filled with concern.

Chapter three

Andrea

Gratitude fills me as we bid farewell to Josh, the unspoken promise of returning hanging in the air.

As Tanya and I step out of the restaurant, the chilly evening air hits us, a stark contrast to the warmth we left behind. I pull my coat tighter around me, a futile attempt to ward off the unease creeping in.

“So, what do you think? Should we RSVP to the engagement party?” Tanya asks, breaking the silence as we start walking down the dimly lit street.

I glance at my phone, the notification of Jeremy’s engagement party mocking me. “I don’t know, Tanya. The whole thing just feels...awkward,” I admit, my voice tinged with uncertainty.

Tanya sighs, her breath forming wisps in the cold air. “I get it, Andrea. But you can’t let Jeremy’s engagement ruin your chance to catch up with people. Plus, who knows? You might even have a good time.”

I shake my head, the weight of the memories pressing down on me. “It’s not just about Jeremy, Tanya. It’s...it’s everything. I’m not sure I’m ready to face everyone,” I confess, the words heavy on my tongue.

Tanya stops in her tracks, turning to face me with a determined look in her eyes. “Andrea, listen to me. You are amazing, okay? You’ve built a successful career, you’re smart, funny, and anyone would be lucky to know you. Don’t let one guy from your past define how you feel about yourself,” she says, her voice firm yet gentle.

I meet her gaze, gratitude welling up inside me for her unwavering support. “Thanks, Tanya. I just...I need some time to think about it, okay?”

Tanya nods understandingly, her hand resting reassuringly on my shoulder. “Of course, take all the time you need. But promise me you won’t completely shut yourself off from the idea. Who knows? Maybe the engagement party will be the plot twist you never saw coming,” she says with a playful grin.

I can’t help but chuckle at her optimism, despite my reservations. “Okay, okay. I promise I’ll keep an open mind,” I concede, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

“You know what, it’s too early to go home, let’s go.” She starts dragging me forward.

“Where are we going?” I say trying to keep up.

“You’ll see,” she says, still pulling me along.

We stop at the bar we normally go to when we want to sing karaoke and dance. As we step inside, the familiar sights and sounds wash over me. Tanya and I settle into a couple of seats, the weight of our conversation lingering in the air.

“So, what’s the verdict? Are we RSVPing to the engagement party or not?” Tanya asks, her gaze fixed on me expectantly.

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