Page 94 of Game Misconduct

“Staff meeting in ten,” she says.

“Be right there,” I call out, and she nods. “Luke, I’ve got to run. I’ll talk to you later?”

“Definitely,” he says. “Take care, babe.”

We hang up, and I pick up my notebook and a pen.

“So what’s with the flowers?” Vanessa asks as I fall into step beside her. “Did he fuck up already?”

I raise my eyebrows. “Why do you think he fucked up?”

“Because when Sven was a royal idiot, he sent an entire bakery’s worth of pastries to the office.” She sighs, a goofy, smitten look on her face. “He still sends them, even when we aren’t fighting. Just thinking of you pastries.”

“Well, these are thinking of you flowers,” I counter. “He was being sweet and thoughtful.”

Vanessa stops in her tracks, then turns to me in the middle of the hallway.

“Bex.” Her serious expression makes me pause.

“Yes?”

“I’m so happy you’ve found someone who appreciates you the way they should.” She flings her arms around me, crushing me in a hug. “For years, I’ve seen the way you let yourself be treated. Disregarded. And I’m glad you’ve found someone who doesn’t let you do that anymore.”

I let out an affronted noise. “I didn’t⁠—”

“You did,” she says over me. “He’s good for you. I wish you both all the best.”

All the fight seeps out of me, and I hug my longtime friend back. Her smaller, muscular body reminds me of our days on the lacrosse field, celebrating after winning a game. Of times gone by, both good and bad.

With all the changes in our lives, some things are constants. Our friendship has endured—will endure.

“Thanks, Van,” I murmur.

“Come on,” she says, stepping back and slinging her arm over my shoulder. “We’ve got a meeting to get to.”