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"No, Serena,” Shay said, her voice suddenly deathly serious “There's nothing more important in my life than our friendship I just wish I had come up with the answer immediately"

Serena's heart war beyond your control I understand that you're an overachiever, but what happened to me was not—nor is it now—your responsibility"

"Hey, what are ithout our friends?"

And in that instant, Serena knew just how much she meant to Shay—and how much Shay missed her “I'd be there if I could,” she said “But under the circumstances"

Which are getting murkier, by the way

But she couldn't tell Shay about Garrett just yet That was so she wanted to savor for a while before she shared it with anyone else

"Alright, look,” Shay said “I've only got a few ht about You were accused of having an affair with our CEO Yeah, you weretime when he died And the fact that you shooed out the secretary he was screhen he had his massive heart attack—who still won't come forward, the bitch, and you won't sell her out, silly you—left you in a very co position Particularly since you were the one to call 911 No one believed it wasn't you who'd been doing the old bird and so you got shit canned The Board looked great for taking swift and decisive action Thegot her justice And the idiot secretary kept her job"

"She needed it le mom Two kids And no deadbeat husband to collect support from because she doesn't even knoho the father—or fathers—is"

"Yeah You're ht and all warm and fuzzy inside,” Shay said “Meanwhile, your name ends up in the papers, and you're the one the Board fires"

"Well I had a bigger savings account and no kids to support Maybe it was for the best"

"Oh My God” Shay let out a sigh of exasperation “Do you want your job back, or not?"

"I do s were beginning to reseray cumulus clouds Clearly, she had issues “What do I have to do?"

"Again, I'm so sorry I didn't think of this earlier It's just so fucking si up with it earlier” Shay paused for a ist and ask her to sign an affidavit I draw up"

"I'yno? Whatever for? And what kind of affi—oh Oh, holy fuck” Realization dawned quick and it dawned bright

"See what I'?” She could hear the smile in Shay's voice “You see your doctor and she certifies that you are, in fact, a virgin Changes the whole Goddaame When we present that affidavit to the Board, they'll either immediately reinstate you—with a compensatory raise, by the way—or we'll take thees A very hefty settlement that will—"