CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO - THE UNEXPECTED REUNION

  "Don't forget about single-handedly saving the President from ninjas," Nia added. The three women dissolved into giggles. "So then what happened?" Maria pressed. Nia grinned. "Well, I decided it was time for a little... intervention." She recounted the coffee spill incident, with Helia chiming in to describe her mad dash for freedom. By the end of the story, they were all wiping tears of laughter from their eyes. "I can't believe you did that for me," Helia said, turning to Nia. "Thank you. Really." Nia shrugged, suddenly uncomfortable with the gratitude. "That's what friends are for, right?" Maria raised her ice cream cone. "To friendship... and to never trusting online dating profiles again!" They clinked their cones together, laughing. As they finished their ice cream, Helia sighed. "Maybe I'm just not cut out for dating. I mean, look how this turned out." "Hey," Nia said softly. "Don't let one bad experience get you down. There are good guys out there." Maria nodded.