Everyone was together now in this loose comfortable circle that felt familiar and easy in a way that made my chest completely loosen.
Miles, Alex, Vera, and two others whose names I knew but didn't really use outside of group hangouts—everyone was here with drinks in their hands and excited energy radiating off them in waves.
They were circled around me and Lexi, pulling us into the fold like we'd never left, and Vera was already talking before I'd even fully joined the group.
"It's been forever!" she said, and then the hugs started, which was typical for Vera who was a hugger to her core.
She grabbed me first in a tight squeeze that made me smell her perfume which was very overwhelming but also comforting in its familiarity, and she pulled back just enough to look at my dress.
"You l
