I groaned as I juggled the tray of to-go cups I was holding, my keys, and my folders to try and dig my phone out of my bag. It was ringing again, not an unfamiliar thing these days, but this time it was a different ring. It was light, and frilly, and absolutely everything that had encompassed Riley since I'd known her. She'd set her own ringtone as soon as I'd gotten a phone and, it had been years accompanied by a few new phones, I'd never been able to bring myself to set it as anything else.

"Hey, Riles" I said, nestling my phone between my ear and my shoulder, once again trying to balance my belongings. I managed to shift the coffees and the folders so that I could get a better hold of my keys in order to let myself into the office.

"Maya?" I heard Riley ask, but the phone muffled whatever came after when my phone shifted as I jiggled the key in the lock of the old door and pushed it open.

I made my way into the office, kicking the door shut behind me. I still couldn't hear Riley clearly, and I had a million of other thoughts racing through my mind. Meetings at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, Hoffman deadline tomorrow, Foster deadline this afternoon at 4:00 PM, a messy desk that needed straightening, etc.

I set the tray down on my desk, dropping my keys onto the surface after it and letting my bag slump to the floor. I let out a sigh, pushed the hair out of my face and readjusted my phone.

"-ou even listening, Peaches?" I caught the tail end of Riley's sentence and realized that it must be important.

"Yeah, sorry, I'm here, just a lot on my mind. What's up?" I asked, sitting down at my desk and turning on my computer.

"Maya, did you hear any of what I said?" She asked, her voice softening and sounding a tad concerned.

"Look, Riles, I'm sorry, I didn't catch everything you said,"

"Maya-" Riley tried to interject.

"I just have a lot on my plate right now, and I tried to get to work early but I was running late and-"

"Maya!" I stopped and let out a breath.

"Sorry," I said quietly.

"He proposed," the line went quiet, my mind went blank.

Riley was clearly waiting with baited breath on the other end of the line for my reply as I didn't say anything for a few seconds.

"Peaches?" She asked, her voice quiet.

"Sweetie that's great," I said, breaking into a big smile, "I'm so happy for you and Farkle," And I was, truly, genuinely happy. They'd been together long enough- since the end of high school- and they were incredibly happy together. He treated her like the queen she deserved to be treated as but also kept her grounded. She kept him humble and cheered on each great feat he conquered in his field. They were the most mutually supportive couple I knew and I was surprised that he hadn't proposed sooner.

I could hear Riley let out the breath she was holding and imagined her face lighting up and growing into a huge grin.

"Maya it was the most magical thing you could have ever imagined. We were in the park and there were flowers and a picnic and oh my god it was so perfect,"

I smiled, I was glad she'd found her prince charming. She deserved it, and the two of them really balanced each other out well.

I leaned back in my chair and curled my legs under me, slipping my shoes off. Screw coming into work early to do actual work, my best friend had gotten engaged and I needed to hear all about it.

Riley continued to cover every detail of the night before down to the shoes she was wearing and the temperature of the breeze in the air, and I sat contently listening to my best friend nearly burst with happiness.

After we'd been talking for a while and the sun had come up a little further, I glanced at the clock on my computer screen and realized it was nearing the time when everyone else was due to come into the office.

"Riles, I'm really sorry, but I gotta go soon," I apologized, sitting up and slipping my shoes back on.

There wasn't an answer and the line was unusually quiet compared to just moments before.

"Riles?" I asked again, checking to make sure my phone hadn't dropped the call.

"Yeah, I'm here," She said.

"What's on your mind, sweetie?" I asked, leaning back in my chair as I gazed out the large window next to me at the Seattle skyline.

"Farkle and I know it's going to be difficult to get everyone out here for the wedding, what with us all spread out all over the place," I knew that was mostly a lie. Everyone that I could think of her wanting to invite to the wedding was within reasonable driving distance. I was the bum best friend who'd moved clear across the country. I was the only one who was making things difficult.

"We were hoping to have an engagement party/celebration thing next month almost as a mock-wedding so that we would be able to celebrate with all of our friends and family- even those who might not be able to make it out for the actual wedding,"

"Riley, you know I'll be at the wedding, I wouldn't miss it for the world," I assured her.

"Maya, we want you to come to New York next month. We'll fly you out, you'll stay for a while, and we'll have a good time,"

"What? Riles, I have work, I can't just drop everything and leave, as much as I'd love to see you guys,"

"Don't fight me on this one, Maya," She said, her voice persistent.

My eyes widened, "Riley-"

"Farkle already got into contact with your boss, Jennifer, isn't it? He explained the situation, that it would be easier to bring you out here now than later when you're already in the throes of the holiday season and swamped with work,"

"What?" I asked, sitting up suddenly.

"She agreed that it would be easier to do now, in the Spring, when business is slow, than in late Fall and already gave you time off,"

"But Riley-"

"No buts, Maya, you're coming. Farkle will email you your travel info and we'll see you next week,"

"Riles-" I started but there was a soft click and then silence. I pulled my phone away from my ear and looked at it. She'd hung up on me.

"Shit," I whispered to myself, setting my phone back on my desk.

I hadn't been in New York for almost three years now. I'd seen Riley, of course. She'd come out here a few times and we'd met in Chicago when our work travel schedules had lined up, but I hadn't been back to our stomping grounds since I'd left for good.

I swore to myself again, but admired Riley's persistence and determination on this one.

"Guess I had to go back someday," I thought.

"It's for Farkle and Riley," I said quietly, "Anything for Farkle and Riley,"