“I’m bowing out tonight,” Bella says.

Melissa stares. “You aren’t coming?”

“I don’t feel like a party.”

“Is this because of Jason? You know he’s not going to be there.”

“I just want to have a latte and read a book.”

“Boring.”

Bella smiles. “Not for me.”

“You shouldn’t sit around licking your wounds,” Melissa says. “You need to get out there.”

“Not for a bit. I used to like me before making relationships a life’s goal. I hate the whining, worrying, conniving. I’ve learned I want me back. The whole nice person with self-esteem.”

“Self-esteem’s so overrated.”

end 8/23/2016

S. Darlington