Maggie set the phone down and realized Lisa was watching her with a knowing expression.
“That’s the face of someone in love,” Lisa said.
“Shut up,” Maggie replied, but she was smiling.
“I’m happy for you,” Lisa said seriously. “You deserve this.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“I do,” Lisa said firmly. “You’ve spent six years punishing yourself for being human. For loving Sarah. For surviving when she didn’t. It’s about damn time you let yourself be happy.”
Maggie’s throat croaked. “I’m trying.”
“I know,” Lisa said. “And it shows. You look different. Lighter. Less like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
“That’s Evie,” Maggie admitted. “She won’t let me hide.”
“Good,” Lisa said. “Don’t let her go. You’ll regret it.”
“I won’t,” Maggie promised.
That night, back in her apartment, Maggie video-called Evie.
Evie answered immediately, her face filling the screen. She was in pajamas, hair down, makeup gone—the version of herself she only showed Maggie.
“Hi,” Evie said, and the loneliness in her voice was audible.
“Hey,” Maggie replied. “How was dinner? I miss your presence in my apartment. I need some life back.”
“Good. Overwhelming. My aunt wouldn’t stop asking when I’m getting married.” Evie laughed. “I told her to ask me again in six months.”
“Six months,” Maggie echoed.
“Give or take.” Evie shifted, getting more comfortable. “I miss you. The bed’s too big without you.”
“I miss you too,” Maggie said. “But I’m proud of you for going. For spending time with your family.”
“Are you okay? Really?”
“I am,” Maggie said, and realized she meant it. “Lisa saved me from myself. And I’ve been thinking.”
“About?”
“About Christmas. About meeting your mom. About saying yes.”
Evie’s face lit up. “Really?”
“If you still want me to come,” Maggie said carefully. “I know it’s not exactly staying under the radar?—”
“I don’t care about the radar anymore,” Evie interrupted. “I care about you meeting my family. About having you there for the holidays. About building a life that includes both of us.”
“Then I’m in,” Maggie said. “I’ll come to Sacramento for Christmas.”
“Yeah? You mean it?” Evie’s smile was radiant.
“I sure do.”
They talked for another hour—about nothing, about everything. Evie told her about her cousin’s new baby, about her mom’s experimental stuffing recipe, about how strange it felt to sleep in her childhood bedroom. Maggie told her about Lisa’s friendsgiving, about the Die Hard debate, about how she’d spent the afternoon actually enjoying herself instead of spiraling.
