Page 151 of Taste of Addiction

I sit up straighter, pulling my bent knees up to my chest. “That’s wonderful!”

“It’s a dream to go back to Los Angeles and work toward my career goals. This internship will definitely make my resume sparkle—especially since I landed it fresh out of college.”

“When do you leave? How much time do we have to make more memories here in Portland together?”

“I haven’t even made the final decision on whether or not I am accepting or rejecting the offer.”

“Oh, I just figured…” I don’t know how to complete the thought. I study Claire’s face for answers.

She shrugs, looking toward the light coming in from the window. “I have to make a final decision soon. I made four vision boards to weigh the pros and the cons. But I’m running out of time. I have to accept or decline.”

“What’s the holdup?”

Claire lets out a long sigh. “I’m struggling to choose between progressing forward with my life here in Portland or starting fresh again with my dream job in LA.”

I give her a squeeze to the arm. “Whatever you decide, it will all work out. You will make it work out. You are fierce and strong and brave.”

“Some days I feel like none of those things,” she says sadly.

“What else is bothering you? There’s more. I know it.”

Claire finishes packing a hoodie and looks up at me. “You scared me, Angie. And the fear of losing you in my life sent me into a rabbit hole of what-ifs.”

It has been over a week since I was kidnapped. My wounds are barely visible, and thankfully nothing appears to have left a scar that wasn’t already there. My heart, however, still carries a burden of knowing that things could have gone vastly wrong that day—for a lot of people. It is rare to get a second chance at life. It is even rarer to get a third one.

“I scared myself too,” I admit for the first time. “I’m done with drama. I need some time to be boring.”

“I can stand behind that idea,” she laughs. “What do you plan to do next?”

“When we first met, I was still very much broken from the loss of my mom and brother. I spent my entire college journey chasing demons. I used the pain of my past to push me forward into what I thought I wanted for my future. But what happens if it was all for nothing?Isall for nothing?”

“Angie, maybe you didn’t accomplish what you set out to accomplish. And that’s okay. Maybe instead of searching for the right path, you simply just make your own.”

I let Claire’s words settle into my heart. She is so wise that I don’t even think she realizes her impact on my life. I nod my head. “I may not have all the answers now, but that’s what life is all about, right? Learning lessons as we go. Trying our best to make good choices?”

“Or bad ones,” she giggles. “Sometimes those can be fun too.”

I laugh. “True.”

“Whatever you decide to do next, promise me you are done with the lifestyle where you jeopardize your happiness or put yourself in danger,” she begs. “I can’t do this life without you. You are my emergency contact. You are my bestie and I love you.”

I squeeze her so tight that we both fall over, laughing as our graduation caps poke each other in the forehead.

“Ouch!” we say in unison.

The doorbell ringing halts our box stuffing. We trot down the stairs and open the door.

“What are you guys doing here?” Claire asks, welcoming in Blake and Zander.

“Figured you two could use some extra emo-ness as we say farewell to your bachelorette pad,” Blake says, looking around at the emptiness.

“I prefer the name She-Shack better,” Claire teases, making us all laugh.

Zander gives me a smile as he adjusts his guitar on his shoulder, looking hesitant but hopeful. Slowly, things are going back to normal. We’ve been texting more and already have plans to get together before he heads back to San Diego after winter break.

“I’m glad you came,” I say softly, initiating a hug that he accepts.

“Good seeing you, Angie.”

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