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four vials of blood out of my weak arm. I hated needles, but I didn’t even wince when the big thick needle pricked me. I was beyond the point of numbness. If someone would
ha
’ ve slapped me right now, I wouldn’t even have felt it.
    “All done, Hon’. I will be back after we get the results. It shouldn’t be long now and then we can get started.” The nurse gave me another warm smile before she exited the room.
    The room was like any other gynecologist ’s exam room except it was painted in a nude tone with a mural on one wall of the San Diego coast. Soft sounds of Debussy filtered through the room. I knew that every single time I heard his music from now on, I would associate it with this memory. I would never enjoy his masterpieces like I used to. 
    I dug out my phone when I heard it vibrate.
    Emma, it said.
    Lately, s he’d been calling constantly, and I knew I would have to pick up soon before she started calling Lindsey to check on me.
    Out of the four of us, Emma was the lucky one. Why? Because she was
not
n’t a fuck up like the rest of us. Lindsey was rattled by her parents’ death at a young age, and from time to time, she would channel her frustration and sadness into lashing out at men—men like Brody or Cooper, usually. Amber had the most screwed up childhood, though. Her parents completely ignored her. I clearly remembered Amber’s rebellion strategy, thinking that it would get her attention and the love that she craved so much, but it simply didn’t work. Nothing did, it seemed, when it came to Mr. and Mrs. Harrison’s only child; they remained blissfully unattached.
    Emma was the easiest to talk to, compared to Lindsey and Amber. Emma had that kind of personality where it’s easy to unload all of your skeletons because you knew she wouldn’t breathe a word about it, and wouldn’t dream of judging you over it, either. All good girls have an Achilles heel though, and hers was Carter Mason. Hopefully that stupid, lovey-dovey haze she was in was lifted off now that she knew what kind of man he was to her and she was starting to move on with Bass. Girlfriend deserved better than hotshot, cheating-ass Carter.
    When my phone vibrated again, I wasn’t a bit surprised that it was Emma again. I finally relented and took the call. “Hey, Doll. What’s up?” I greeted her in a flat, cheerless tone. My voice mirrored what I felt, and what I was going through; I didn’t have the energy to hide it.
    “What’s wrong? You sound horrible. You okay?” Emma was obviously worried, nothing new there , though hearing her familiar voice gave me strength.
    “Not really. I’m just going through some difficult stuff. I know you’re going to ask what , but I’m not ready to talk about it.” My voice wobbled and the last few words came out in a whisper.
    “Oh no, let me go call Linds. She’ll be there quick—” Emma sounded like she was trying to help, but seeing Lindsey was definitely not one of the brightest ideas.
    I panicked at her suggestion and cut her off before she got any more ideas. “No, please don’t do that. I love that woman to death, but I want to be alone. I will catch up with you guys once we get there in a few weeks okay? I’m sorry I’m being rude, Em. It’s just tough right now.”
    She gave a helpless sigh. “Fine, I respect that. Make sure you get on that plane, okay? This island will heal you of whatever demons you’re going through. Trust me on this. Just get on that damn plane then we can weed through one problem at a time when you get here, comprende? ” I smiled when she said comprende . It was a Lindsey thing, and hearing Emma say it made me miss her even more.
    I doubt there was a place on earth that could heal me, yet I didn’t tell Emma that. Worrying her was the last thing I needed to do. “Even if I want to miss the flight, I don’t think Lindsey will allow me. Three weeks will be here before we know it and I will be there, enjoying the Grecian sun with