The Girls Group Chat
Serena:
Emergency session. Everyone report.
Layla:
What happened? Is it Jenna?
Serena:
It’s Dominic. Caleb says he tried to dismantle his entire life in a boardroom this morning. He won’t give me details because “legal ethics remain operational even when our friends are idiots.”
Audrey:
Logan confirms the nonprivileged version. Dominic tried to merge Cruz Financial into Mercer at a ridiculous valuation, transfer his book, sign a five-year non-compete, and leave.
Nora:
Leave the firm or leave Chicago?
Audrey:
Both.
Layla:
Oh my God. BENNETT. That’s why he looked like he’d attended a funeral when I stopped by his office. He said he couldn’t discuss it at work.
Serena:
Dominic’s reasoning, according to Caleb: Jenna won’t come home while he’s here. So if he erases himself, she gets her life back and “everyone wins.”
Layla:
This is awful.
Audrey:
The men shut it down. Bennett refused the transaction. David and Caleb refused to touch the documents. Logan told Dominic to maintain state and stop optimizing.
Serena:
I love those men, but waiting is not a complete strategy.
Nora:
We shouldn’t interfere in their marriage.
Serena:
I’m not suggesting we interfere with the marriage. I’m suggesting we show up for Jenna.
Layla:
Has anyone heard from her?
Audrey:
Nothing. She left every group chat and my calls go directly to voicemail.
Serena:
Same.
Layla:
Same here. Bennett is a wreck, Dominic is trying to financially self-immolate, and I miss my friend.
Serena:
Jenna is the most stubborn woman alive. Give her silence and she’ll turn panic into a five-year plan, build a spreadsheet proving it was inevitable, and call the whole thing good judgment.
Nora:
So we go to Queens. Not to tell her what to do about Dominic. To make sure she knows she hasn’t lost us.
Layla:
Or her job. Or Chicago.
Audrey:
Agreed. Objective: restore support network, interrupt permanent decisions made during acute distress, no romantic coercion.
Serena:
I was going to say friendship deployment, but yours sounds more billable.
Audrey:
I’ve found a direct flight out of O’Hare at six. Four seats are being held.
Nora:
I’ll call my vice principal and clear my afternoon. I’m in.
Layla:
Does anyone have Hailey’s number? We shouldn’t arrive without warning.
Serena:
I do. I’ll check with her.
Audrey:
Should I purchase the seats?
Serena:
Yes.
Layla:
No! Don’t purchase tickets. Bennett has a plane. We can leave now and be there by dinner. I’ll make the call.
Serena:
Do it.
Nora:
OK. I’m walking out of my office now.
Audrey:
Me too.
Serena:
Jenna can leave Dominic. She does not get to resign from us.
Layla:
Plane secured. Wheels up as soon as we’re all on board.
Serena:
I’ll bring coffee and a metaphorical crowbar.
Audrey:
I own a compact pry bar.
Layla:
Audrey.
Audrey:
I’ll leave it at home.