I picked Alice’s phone up. I saw a text from her the night before that she never sent me:

Hey Grace. I wanted to let you know that I slept with Martin. I feel awful but I wanted to tell you so you didn’t find out from anyone else. I’m so sorry and understand if you don’t want to talk to me ever again.

I was dumbfounded. My best friend slept with my boyfriend?

“Hey.” Alice said walking in. I looked up from her phone; mad as anything, “What?”

“You slept with my boyfriend?!” I said. Alice froze.

“Shit you saw the text.”

“Yes I saw the text.” I spat. I pushed past her.

“No Grace please.”

“I thought you didn’t mind if I never spoke to you again.” I said walking down the stairs.

“I said I understand not I don’t mind. They’re different things. Look I’m sorry Grace.” I scoffed, wrenched the door open and left. Never to return. Not until years later when her brother and I would announce our engagement in that very house. We didn’t even speak that day. I kept my word on never speaking to her again.