"Don''t talk about yourself like that. You''re worth so much more," Lyman said sternly, his eyes fixed on Effie.


    Effie nestled into his arms, her tone teasing and soft. "I''m so happy right now."


    She''d always struggled with insecurity, needing more love than most people. Mitchell, her ex, had always told her to be independent, to stop clinging to him all the time.


    So, over time, Effie learned to hide behind a mask. She stopped sharing her little worries with Mitchell, stopped letting him see the vulnerable parts of her heart.


    Maybe that was why, even when they were together, there always seemed to be an invisible wall between them. Things were never as open and honest as they''d once been.


    But even though she hadn''t known Lyman for long, Effie felt as if she''d known him forever. With Lyman, she could be herselfpletely, unapologetically.


    Just then, the doorbell rang. Effie started to get up, but Lyman beat her to it. "I''II get it," he said.


    Effieughed. "It''s not like my legs are broken, you know."


    Lyman grinned. "Let me have the honor of serving my lovely wife."


    A flush crept up Effie''s cheeks, and she felt the heat rise all the way to her ears.


    Lyman opened the door and found Nita standing there, her eyes rimmed red from crying.


    She hesitated for a split second when she saw Lyman, then managed a greeting. "Mr. Etheridge."


    Lyman nodded. "Please, just call me Lyman."


    Nita thought to herself that with the difference in their status, she could never be so casual.


    "Is Effie here?" Nita''s attention was clearly elsewhere. She peered past Lyman, searching for her friend.


    "She''s here. Come on in," Lyman said, stepping aside.


    Effie stood and came out to greet Nita.


    As soon as Nita saw Effie, she rushed forward and threw her arms around her, sobbing uncontrobly. "Effie..."


    Lyman quietly picked up his tablet and slipped into the study, closing the door behind him.


    Nita cried harder, letting all her emotions out.


    It took a while for Effie to calm her down.


    "I''m so sorry, Effie,” Nita said atst, her voice thick with guilt. "This is all my fault. You''ve suffered because of me."


    Effie squeezed Nita''s hand reassuringly. "We both yed a part in this, Nita. Even if I wasn''t the one who started it, I still helped. Neither of us can pretend we''re meless."


    Nita bit her lip and shook her head fiercely. "No, that''s not true..."


    Effie stroked her hand and said softly, "It''s over now. Let''s not talk about it anymore."


    "I know," Nita said. "You just took all the me because you were afraid those people would make things hard for me."


    Effie smiled gently. "I''m not a mind reader, Nita. How could I possibly know what would happen ahead of time?"


    Nita knew Effie was only saying that to make her feel better.


    "Effie, you really are the best friend I''ve ever had." Nita hugged her again, sniffling.


    Effieughed and patted her on the back. "Hey, I''m your best friend. If I don''t look out for you, who will?"


    Something flickered behind Nita''s eyes, a shadow of sadness. "You''re the only person in this world who''s ever truly cared about me."


    "You can trust me—always. I''ll be here."


    "Oh, right! Didn''t you say you wanted to try the new buffet at Elliott''s Cozy Room? Let''s go together."


    Nita''s eyes sparkled. "Wait, do you mean the new one with all-you-can-eat king crab for $180 a head? The one at Elliott''s Cozy Room?"


    Effie grinned. "That''s the one."


    Nita squealed. "Best friend, I love you."


    Nita ended up spending nearly the entire day with Effie, until eventually Lyman started popping into the room more and more frequently.