“Is it ’cause you’re way out of his league?”
“Does he really think that?” I ask, disbelieving.
“Any sane person would think that.”
“Then they should check their sanity.”
“Is it ’cause you’re moving to L.A.?” she asks. “He would move there, you know. I’m pretty sure he’d move to the middle of the woods if you were going to be there. And hehatesthe woods.”
A tear, warm and salty, breaches my lips. “So do I.”
Another pause. “Then…why?”
I shake my head, though she can’t see me. “I have…” Unsure how to say it, I settle on, “Some issues. Someone hurt me, a long time ago, and I haven’t quite figured out how to get past it.”
“Oh,” she says sagely. “Well, you know, there’s therapy for that.”
“Never thought I needed it. I have Taylor Swift’s entire catalog.” I sigh. “But you’re right. I’m going to book an appointment.” I mean it. I have work to do, and I’m determined to do it. I’ve never stood to lose so much.
She exhales loudly. “Good. ’Cause I was so freaking excited about you being my sister-in-law, you have no idea.”
I laugh, charmed by this woman I’d be honored to be related to. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“Can’t help it.”
That, I understand. “About your tuition…”
“We’ll make it work. I’ve already applied for student loans. Plus, if I keep my GPA above a certain level, I can apply forscholarships. And Maral’s a hot connection—I’m already in talks about a job next summer that’ll help pay down the loans and look great on my résumé.”
There Mar goes, being a guardian angel for yet another go-getter. The relief I feel about the Grants’ financial situation is tangible. “You said you were in a bind, though.”
“I am!” she wails. “My fluid mechanics class assignment is sucking my will to live.”
I smile, relieved to hear of a problem that, while it may not be small, feels manageable. Solvable. “Do you want me to make you a video? Remind you how capable you are?”
She gasps. “You would do that for me?”
“Call it an equal exchange. Maybe you could put in a good word with your brother.”
She laughs, a bell chiming from three thousand miles away. “Deal.”
We sign off after I give her my own number and make her promise to stay in touch with me, no matter what happens. She says I’ll be sorry for inviting that into my life, and I tell her she’ll be even sorrier, which summons another darling giggle from her.
When I press the End button, the screen reverts to the last app that was open on Maral’s phone—her text chain with Celine. The last few messages were sent only fifteen minutes ago.
Maral:hey, are you free right now? can you call me?
Celine:sure! everything okay??
Maral:yeah. ana could use some talking to. about you-know-who. from someone other than me
I squint at the screen, then up at the bathroom door, behind which lies suspicious silence. No burrito evidence to be heard.
Pretty sneaky, cuz.
Chapter 24
Half an hour later, I’m lying on the couch with cold packs on my eyes, mind reeling, while Mar riffles through my closet for clothes she wants to take to Boston. Which is not helping my de-puffing situation, but I don’t tell her that.
