I frown. “Can you just stop talking to them?”

“I could . . .” She trails off.

“But?”

“But there are things I like about them. Hence, my dilemma.”

“I’m a little confused. How did you wind up chatting with them in the first place if you’re not interested?”

She gives me an innocent grin. “They have cute dogs. I swiped right on their dogs.”

A laugh bursts out before I can stop it. “You swiped right on their dogs? How does that happen?”

She squares her shoulders. “Sometimes the dog picture shows first, and some dogs are so adorable I can’t help myself. Especially if they look like my collie, Sally.” She wrings her hands. “Can I just go out with them to see their dogs? I miss my Sally so much.”

I take a breath and consider my answer. “That’s an idea. But I think you should probably tell them that you’re only interested in their dogs.”

She sighs heavily, but after a moment, nods and pats my knee. “You’re right. Honesty is usually best,” she says. “And speaking of honesty, can I tell you my idea for classes?”

“Sure. Of course.”

She sweeps her arm out wide. “Exotic dancing. I want to learn exotic dancing.”

I keep my expression neutral somehow as she tells me about the dance moves she wants to learn.

“Can you please work on getting an exotic dancing class here? Or else I’ll have to set it up myself.”

“Sure. I can look into it,” I tell her.

Throughout the rest of the day, her words echo in my head. Not about exotic dancing, though if she wants that, I will try to help.

But what she said about being honest.

I should be honest with Oliver.

Let him know we simply can’t fake-kiss again. It’s hurting my heart too much. It’s throwing me off.

Nothing against the man, but I’d rather date someone who was more into my dog than me than go through that again.

As I leave, I vow to find a way to add an Ins and Outs of Tinder class to the activity list, no matter what my boss says.

23OLIVER

After a post-run shower, I head to Midtown and pace outside the jewelry store, practicing what to say to Summer.

The words roll off my tongue easily.

I’m sorry I was a dick earlier.

I’m sorry I took off like the jackhole the internet sometimes thinks I am.

Boom.

That shouldn’t be too hard.

I can handle all of that, no problem.

Except something nags at me as I wait on the street, while early evening crowds march past, heads bent, checking their phones on the way to their destinations.

Because I can picture myself asking Phoebe what to say to Summer.

And for the first time in a while, I can hear her crisp voice in my head, chiding me. That’s only half an apology, Ollie. Apologize all the way.

An image of my older sister giving me a sharp stare, telling me to apologize properly, takes shape before my eyes.

It’s the strangest thing to see and hear her so clearly, especially when I was listening for her the other night and heard nothing.

My God, how can the sharpness of her voice still be so clear after all this time?

Maybe because she’s right, you daft idiot.

I laugh out loud, because I hear that in her voice, crystal clear. And it makes me happier than I ever thought I would be to still recall her voice in these moments.

“What’s so funny?”

I jerk around. Summer’s here, head tilted, eyes curious, lips so damn pretty.

My heart pounds a little faster.

“I was just thinking of something funny Phoebe would say.” Then I’m smiling because I can share that with Summer. I don’t think I’ve ever been with a woman to whom I could admit how much I long sometimes to hear my sister’s voice.

After thirteen years, I shouldn’t still be so affected by her passing. And yet, every now and then, I am.

I don’t need to explain to Summer why I sometimes drift off, why I obsess over last meals, why I don’t mind one bit if she calls me Ollie.

Why I even like it when she does.

Because it’s a promise we made to Phoebe long ago.

Summer’s smile starts small then spreads as she steps closer. “Tell me what she would say. And then I have something to tell you.”

“Ladies first.”

She stands firm. “No. You.”

“Fine.”

I know what to say. I have to do this the right way. Because this friendship matters too much to give her half an apology.