"For what?" asked Beau, aparently genuinely uncertain what had warranted the apology. Sure, all of that was stuff she would've beaten herself up for if she hadn't done it for her friends, but that was a totally different situation, because they deserved that, right? They did, but she didn't, so ... what was the big deal? "There's nothing to apologize for."

She paused for a second.

"Although if Kar makes sad faces at you for missing her birthday, I'm not gonna let you hide behind me." Like that was going to happen.