Page 17 of The Enemy Face Off

"Brrr, it's chilly this morning," Hannah says.

"It is," I agree, zipping up my jacket all the way to my neck.

Okay, so it's not as cold as plenty of other places I've lived around the country, but as a West Coast girl for the past eight or so years, temps in the mid-fifties in early October are officially classified as cold.

"I'm so glad we're doing this," Summer says.

"And that the sidewalks are wide enough to accommodate all five of us," Amiel quips.

I smile, but it's a sad smile.

This is the last time Amiel, Evie, Hannah, Summer, and I will be physically together in one place like this. Hannah and Culver fly off to Italy next week to begin the next chapter of their lives, and who knows when they'll be back? They certainly don't. They're happy to go with the flow and see where life takes them.

I'm happy they're together, and not only because it proved Amiel and I were right about them going from friends to lovers. I just wish they weren't starting off their couple life all the way over in Europe.

I wrap my arm around Evie's puffy jacket. "I assume your silence is because you're still booting up as much as it is about the sadness of this being our last early morning group walk together."

She pulls the coffee cup from her lips. How she manages to walk like that I'll never know, but she's got it down to a fine art. "Correct. My sadness is battling with my need for caffeine, which I need to fuel my sadness. It's a vicious cycle I hope to break after my second cup."

Because of course, one extra-large, triple-shot monstrosity isn't enough for her, she's ordered two.

"Guys, you're making it sound like I'm leaving for the moon or something," Hannah says. "We'll still be in touch. We've got our WhatsApp group to message each other."

"But time zones," I grumble.

"Yes, they suck, but we'll figure out a day and time that works for all of us. Maybe we can schedule a weekly video call?"

"I'd love that," Summer says with a smile.

"Same," Amiel agrees while Evie bobs her head, signaling it's a yes from her but that her need for caffeine is still in the lead.

"Just make sure you have a good internet connection," I say. "Can you imagine trying to have our normal, million-mile-a-minute conversation with slow Wi-Fi? It'd never work."

Amiel giggles. "That would be hilarious and frustrating at the same time."

"I hate the way I look on camera at the best of times," Summer says. "And I especially hate it when the screen freezes and I look like a giant blob."

"You're gorgeous," I tell her. "You could never look like a blob."

"Beth's in a complimentary mood this morning," Hannah says to Evie but conveniently loud enough for the whole group to hear. "I wonder why that could be."

And with that, she ignites what could very well be our last round of in-person fast-talking.

Me: "I'm not biting."

Hannah: "I don't need you to bite. I have three other girls all ready, willing, and very eager to discuss your Milo situation."

Me: "Ha. Joke's on you. There is no Milo situation to discuss. I haven't seen or heard from him since Fraser's party."

Summer: "So the insurance companies are handling everything with your fender bender?"

Me: "Correct."

Hannah: "I'm not letting you off the hook that easily, missy. Remember at the start of summer how you and Amiel were convinced that Culver and I would become more than friends?"

Me: "I have no recollection of that whatsoever."

Hannah: "Sure, sure. Well, I've been speaking to a certain someone…"

---