"Bunny, slow down a bit," Kathie says gently.

I stopped dead in my tracks and looked over my shoulder. Three pair of eyes were watching me. Kathie and her best friends, Jessica Keith and Audrey Danler. I tap my foot on her kitchen floor. Kathie invited me over to her apartment and I was just relieved I'll be out of my bedroom.

"Yes, and maybe slow down with the pacing. I'm feeling dizzy." This came from Jessica Keith, who was first introduced to me months prior the grueling wedding preparation (once upon a time). She photographed my wedding.

The pristine blonde next to her with the stiff poker face I met when I was fitting the wedding gown. I threw a fit because, for some reason, it was much tighter than the last time I tried it on. I was splayed inside the changing room with Kathie. And then she came in and taught me a few yoga breaths to calm me down.

Audrey, a polar opposite to their redhead friend, stares calmly at me. "Why don't you start from the beginning? Slower this time."

I sighed, finding comfort in her elegant voice. She tucked her hands on her lap. For an editor in chief who runs the top-selling female magazine, she wasn't the clichéd boss with the massive personality. She was a woman of a few words.

"Okay." I nodded, finding the courage to tell them about my date with William Rossi and the incident with Nathan the night before. I blabbered on and on, releasing the deepest breath when I finally finish telling the entire story.

Two out of three faces of my audience visibly changed. Kathie was shocked. Jessica was amused. Audrey is... unreadable.

"So, I'm guessing you end up kissing William on the cheek because of Nathan?" Kathie asks more than stated, hesitant to make conclusions.

Jessica snaps her fingers. "You obviously still have feelings for him. Go grab your man."

I shake my head and started pacing again.

"Come on. What's holding you back?"

I pause. "Two words: Sydney Williams."

"Sydney? Nathan's friend?" Kathie murmurs.

"What does that passive-aggressive bitch have to do with this?"

"Jess," Audrey speaks, a hint of reprimand in her voice.

"What? She is a passive-aggressive bitch. I photographed more than a few weddings that she catered. I can't stand the woman." She shots up a rainbow painted finger. "She is the type of woman who calls you a bitch behind your back and then calls you her best friend when you turn back around."

"How do you know that?"

She waves a hand dismissively. "Women's instinct, I don't know. Is she dating your Nathan?"

I'm surprised I hadn't corrected her.

"No."

"Yes."

Kathie and I answered at the same time. She briefly stared at me. "Bunny, how sure are you? I've heard Sydney ramble on about hanging out with Nathan, but I don't think that's equivalent to dating."

"Did Nathan tell you?" This came from Audrey who asked the question I didn't want to have an answer to.

I toyed with my phone.

"You never did." Jess nodded slowly, interpreting my uneasiness.

Audrey shrugs. "Well, then, I guess this makes it safe to say that they're not together. If my sources are accurate – which they are at least sixty percent of the time, Sydney is just a loudmouth and your ex just doesn't listen to gossips."

Jess nods eagerly. "Passive-aggressive anndd a lying bitch too."

"But you can always ask him, Chassie. He's just secretive but he's never a liar." Kathie's eyes brown eyes find mind and they offered comfort.

A knock on the door interrupted our little discussion.

Jessica's face brightened. "That must be the pizza."

"Or my assistant." Audrey slid gracefully off the stool and exited the kitchen. She came back with a to-go coffee and an adorable assistant.

She gives us all a polite smile before joining us.

"Kylie, come sit next to me." Jessica waves her over, a very fond grin on her face.

It was hard not to be fond of her. She was cute (probably could fit anywhere) and she wears the cutest thing, including a honey-comb skirt.

"I love your skirt." I smiled.

She did a little curtsy. "Thank you."

"That skirt has to be edible. Are you staying for lunch, bunny?" Kathie asks.

"No, I'm sorry. I'm meeting my friends." Summer, Andrei and France has been texting me nonstop for a detailed disclosure of my quest for the right ex.

I've accomplished the quest, all right. But it feels like I just lost.

My heart jumped in my throat when I heard my phone ring. It's been happening a lot lately. I blew out a sigh when I saw it was Julie Montgomery, my friend from work. I excused myself before scurrying off to Kathie's living room.

"I hated going to work. And now that you're not here, I abhor it."

I giggled. "Aw. You poor thing. How's the new guy doing?"

"You mean the idiot who temporarily keeps your column alive? He's kissing ass."

"Is his stuff good?"

"Meh. He's just trying to be you."

"He's writing the column in his perspective." I swipe a hand over my face. "Crap, I get it now. Howard wants a fresher perspective about single parenthood. I am going to get fired."

"No way! That is never going to happen."

I have to hold my phone away to not damage my ear from when her voice boomed in defense. Surprising myself – yet again – the prospect of getting laid off isn't daunting as it has been weeks ago. "We'll see."

"Chassie, just be positive. We will figure this out."

I slumped on the couch. "I have no plan B."

"If it's any consolation, I don't either. We ended up here by accident."

I laugh. "Well, that makes me feel a little better."

"Have you been writing?"

"Not much."

"Still struggling?" She asks sympathetically.

I dropped my head to the headrest and stared at the ceiling. "More like distracted."

"Ooh. Half-naked ex distracting you?" Julie lets out a girlish giggle. "Not that it's a bad thing, but let me just say, "Finally!""

I could only manage a giggle.

"Wait, that wasn't a no."

"Yeah, well, it wasn't a yes either."

Julie laughed on the other line. "I got to go. Let me know when it's time for a love affair. I've been told love is sweeter the second time around."

"Julie," I groaned.

She lets out another laugh. "Okay. Good luck with everything."

Audrey Danler swore to forget that one drunken wedding hookup she had with Vren Parkinson. It was definitely doable. Except that one mistake resulted to a positive pregnancy test. And now she's stuck with a man she would've never bat an eye at when she's sober. It was supposed to be just a mistake. Not a commitment.