I swear that reply from the friend sounds exactly like the one I got from a mutual friend also, almost word for word. This friend me and W have known since high school but she is much closer to W.
My W is so stubborn also, so many similarities.
If the friend wanted to talk to you that's her choice, W doesn't control her. I would just be careful about continuing to talk to her because it may be an issue in the future depending on what you say.
We let them go and be the lighthouse!
Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be