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The front door bursts open, and Warren bounds into the room, his hand holding the back of Ethan’s head from where he’s strapped to his chest. “Jesus, Talia.” He points at the fireplace. “You know that’s fake. There’s no ventilation or working chimney.”

I cough into my fist. “Now I do.”

Harriet bounces in behind him, eyeing her partner with a smirk as she opens the windows. “Even retired firefighters make storming into burning buildings look hot.”

Warren scoffs while covering Ethan’s face from the smoke. “I’d hardly classify this as a burning building.”

Margot and Parker enter the living room next.

“Ooh, are we burning things of people who wronged us? Dibs on the next one.” Parker bares her teeth. “Margot, you’re witchy. Do you know any spells to make someone’s dick drop off?”

We all gape at her.

“Um, I’m more into tarot…” Margot shuffles away from Parker nervously.

Warren clears his throat. “If there’s no genuine emergency, I’m gonna go.” He unstraps the baby, approaches me, and carefully deposits Ethan into my arms. “This is for you.”

“You’re giving me your child?” Ethan tangles his little fingers into my hair.

“Not quite. Harriet calls it baby therapy. It works, trust me.” He pulls me into a side hug, kisses Harriet and Ethan, and waves goodbye to Margot and Parker. Not before shouting, “Go for the jugular, Parker. It’s more effective,” over his shoulder.

“Not that I don’t love visitors, but what are you all doing here?” I bounce Ethan in my arms.

Harriet wobbles her head, rolling her eyes. “You need us.”

Margot and Harriet nod in agreement.

“But you’re all busy, and—” My chest clenches. “I’m okay.”

“Are you?” Margot asks cautiously. “Because you’re starting fires in your underwear while crying?”

I glance down. Tate’s T-shirt has ridden up, revealing my hotdog boy shorts. Ethan snuggles into my chest, making the tears fall harder. “Maybe I’m a little sad, but you all have better things to do than watch me wallow. I’ll be⁠—”

“Do not finish that sentence,” Parker cuts in, voice firm, but her usually fierce features soften. “You need us, and we’re here.”

I swallow down the shame knotting in my throat. “And I appreciate that, but all I’ve done the past year is make it about me. I’m tired of bringing down the mood with my relationship problems.”

It all feels very claustrophobic as the three of them stare at me, slowly closing in until there’s no escaping.

Harriet speaks first. “Made it about you? Talia, when I found out I was pregnant, you slept on my couch for a week. And when I had to leave my apartment because of the black mold, you let me stay here. You even put your feelings aside to help with the copyright lawsuit, even though you knew Tate was involved.”

Margot squeezes my shoulder. “You let Willow hang out with you after school so I can finish deliveries, and you were my first customer the day I opened. I still have the twenty-dollar bill you paid with.”

“Personally, I don’t think you’ve made the past year enough about you.” Parker tucks me into her side. Ethan becomes entranced by her tattoos. “Babe, you were going through something huge. You still are, and yet, whenever I haven’t been available to take my dad to his doctor’s appointments or physical therapy, you volunteered to help. You are brilliantly selfless, but it’s time you changed that. Tonight, and however many nights you need until Tate comes home, are about you.”

I take in each one of my friends, allowing myself to be swaddled by their love and patience and compassion.

Then, for the first time in maybe forever, I allow myself to fully let go. I fall apart in their arms, and it’s the most beautifully cathartic moment of my life.

I cry for the little girl who craved her parents’ affection. For the teenager who felt worthless. For the young woman who still couldn’t sever those toxic ties. I cry for the months, days, hours, and minutes lost with Tate, when we could’ve been growing a family.

But I can’t change the past. I can only change the future.

My tears turn to those of joy; thankful for my friends and their unwavering support.

Tears of hope and love for the man who never once doubted our story.

When I’m done, emotionally drained and not a single tear left in me, the girls release me.