Kaelee’s voice sounded tight as she said, “I think I’m not used to having anyone do that. Be patient with me?”
“I have and will,” Greta promised, knowing full well they weren’t talking about just this moment. “I promise I’ll be here.”
30Greta
MID-DECEMBER
After their walk, they ended up coming back to the house to find themselves ambushed by what turned into a team snowball fight. Inside, they warmed up with some homemade cocoa and then they all nestled under blankets to read.
The next day was watching a few holiday movies—includingDie Hard, which Toni and Gretabothargued was the epitome of a Christmas movie. After a couple of years without a friend group, Greta was enchanted that the four of them managed to both enjoy time together and apart. This was what, Greta realized, she wanted: a partner, friends, and laughter. She was starting to think impossible thoughts of plans to work around the rest of the holiday season.
Could we just alternate weekends?
Together but not in the same city was possible with a train connecting their two cities. First, however, they had Christmas, New Year’s, and Kaelee’s book launch. There would be plenty of nights together the next six weeks.
Not as many as I want.
Greta felt increasingly unhappy to be apart, although that urge felt like it was too much, too fast.
I’m not that sort of person—and neither is she.
Finally, it was time to talk about the future, plans that needed to be made, conversations that needed to happen. The roads werecleared, and Greta had to return to New York for in-person meetings and practicalities.
“So I talked to Emily,” Greta said as they were sitting on the guest bed, just the two of them. She leaned back on the mountain of pillows with her legs extended in front of her on the still unmade bed. “And I talked to Ian last week, too.”
“I know. I told you it was fine, and I heard from both of them, and Charlie.” Kaelee sat on the foot of the bed, not touching Greta at all. “I heard from legal at the publishing house, too.”
“Good. I won’t be cc’d unless you ask them to do so, since Ian’s your editor now. You ought to talk to Emily aboutwhoyour family is. She’s your agent. She’ll be at your side and—”
“Willyou?”
“Yes. Even if we weren’t anything but casual friends, I’d be here,” Greta swore.
“I have you, Toni and Addie, Emily, Ian, my friend Cherie.…” Kaelee shook her head. “It’s strange to realize I’m not on my own facing him this time.”
Greta crossed her ankles primly; wearing her uncharacteristically long plaid skirt and oversized cardigan made her feelalmostmodest. “Even with all of us, I think you need to retain counsel outside of the house, though. I’m advising you that as your…” She floundered over the word.
“Person?” Kaelee suggested tentatively.
“Right. Yourperson.” Greta smiled at her. “I like that. Your person.”
“The firm I used for the name change stuff was just… someone cheap I found, but I don’t think that’s the caliber I want if I really do have to deal with Tripp’s lawyers.” Kaelee made a frustrated noise. “I hate spending my money on this. I mean, I have it… but lawyers are so fucking expensive, and he’s like a bloated tick. I don’t even know how to tell if a firm can manage to stand against—”
“I know a firm.” Greta caught and held Kaelee’s gaze. “A great one.”
“Your ex?”
“Nother, but her firm. I met a lot of great lawyers there, and some of them are vicious in the best ways.”
“Is that weird for you?” Kaelee asked.
“No. I’m not asking you to work with Tasha,” Greta stressed. “May I call the firm, though? Someone else there? Set up a consultation?”
“Do it.” Kaelee put one hand on Greta’s crossed ankles. “Thank you for being here this weekend, and Thanksgiving, and dealing with this. I worried that I’d lose out by losing you as an editor, but… I like having you in my life this way.”
“I have fun with you,” Greta said. “Maybe that doesn’t seem like a huge thing, but I was so focused on work that… well, I think I was hiding until I met you. So don’t think for a second that we aren’t both getting something more from this.”
“Good.” Kaelee stalked toward her. “We have forty minutes till we have to leave. Any thoughts on something fun to do?”
