—Mabel—

My best friend sniffled over the phone. “Hello, Mabel. I-I know you're busy, but I need someone to talk to.”

A bullet of panic rose in my throat.

“Sure, bestie. I'm all ears.”

There was a pause before she sniffled again. “Can you—can we sit out? Please?”

“Of course. Name the venue and time.”

“The Elysian Table. How about now?”

I nodded. ”Alright. I'll be there in a moment.”

She hung up, and I stared at my phone.

What could be wrong?

Did something between ...