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She grabs another chip, biting it in half. “It’s coming along.” She taps the back of my hand. “Sorry I haven’t invited you to come over and see it. I’d rather wait until it’s completely finished. Make it a grand opening of sorts. Well, more like a grand opening for Lena.”

“I’ll be there.” I grin, thankful to have moved on. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I fish a small piece of ice from my glass with my straw, crunching on it until it dissolves against my tongue. “When are you thinking of having the real grand opening.”

She shrugs. “The plan is to open in about three weeks. That’s if the contractors can stick to the schedule and there are no hiccups.”

I nod, proud of how far Abby has come since moving to Seattle. She finishes the basket of chips on her own, leaving a few crumbs scattering the bottom of the basket. Despite how delicious they looked, my thoughts were too preoccupied to be focused on eating, knowing Julian was out there.

Abby tips back the last few drops of her Bloody Mary, signaling the waiter for another drink round.

I hold up my hand, picking my phone up from the table. “Actually, Abby. I should get going.”

“Oh come on.” She pouts. “This lunch was just starting to get fun. Now that we have all the bullshit chatter out of the way. Logan this, Julian that. Blah, blah, blah.”

“What?” I tilt my head back, surprised she would call our conversation ‘bullshit’. I can tell the alcohol has already started to take effect. Her violet eyes are two glass orbs, reflecting against the yellow industrial lights hanging above us. Her movements have become more animated over time. She waves her hands, then leans against the table, nudging it with her body.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” She rolls her eyes.

“Then how did you mean it, Abby? I don’t think you understand what I’m trying to tell you. Do you think this is a game?”

She scoffs, narrowing her eyes. They morph into two small slits. Her neck is flushed with pink as she stares at me across the table. “Of course I don’t think it’s a game, Lena. I’m fairly certain I know how big of an asshole your ex-boyfriend can be. I was there, remember?”

“I remember, Abby.” I stand from my seat, sliding my arms into my leather jacket.

“Look,” she says, reaching her arm out across the table. She can’t reach me from where I’m standing but I can see she’s hoping I won’t leave. “I’m just tired of always talking about you and Julian. And now you’ve forgiven Logan for having an affair.”

“He’s not having an affair, Abby. I told you. Someone is trying to set us up. Trying to ruin my marriage.”

She widens her eyes. “Whatever you say.”

“Seriously?” My jaw drops, the sting of my best friend’s words shooting straight through my chest. She doesn’t answer me, her vacant eyes staring right through me. This conversation has gone from apologies to warnings to outright anger. “I’m trying to warn you, Abby. I just want you to be safe. And me forgiving Logan for something I know he didn’t do is on me. It’s my marriage so why don’t you just stay out of it.” I grab my purse from the back of my chair and storm out of the pub.

My feet don’t take me very far, the constant weaving between tables slowing me down. I shove my hands against the large wooden door, stepping out onto the sidewalk. The cool fall air whips against my face. A hand reaches out, gripping my arm. I stop and spin around to find Abby behind me.

As if to protect myself from further blows from Abby, I cross my arms over my chest.

“I’m sorry, Lena,” she says.

I dart my eyes away from her, focusing on the constant flow of cars passing us on the street. It’s a busy afternoon, rush hour traffic.

“I shouldn’t have said what I said in there.” She places her hand on my arm, pulling me to face her.

Reluctantly, I finally look at her. Her eyes are lined with tears.

“I just wish you knew how important you are to me. You didn’t deserve what Julian did to you and you don’t deserve what Loganisdoing to you. That’s all.”

I sigh. A part of me is relieved to know Abby cares. The other part wishes she would understand that my decisions were mine to make and that she would take my warning more seriously. “I appreciate your concern. But I know Logan and you have to respect my decision to stay with him.”

Her arms fall to her sides as she takes a step back. “Fine. I will.”

I step toward her, reaching for her hand. “Please listen to me, Abby. Julian’s back. That much I do know. I need you to be careful. You mean too much to me.”

Crossing her arms, she twists her mouth, looking down at the ground. “Okay.”

“Thank you.” I sigh. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Sure.” She gives me a reassuring smile.

I turn to walk down the street to where my car is parked along the curb. I focus on my steps, all the while feeling her eyes still on me. I’m halfway to my car when I glance over my shoulder, checking to see if she’s till there but she isn’t. She’s already gone.

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