Aubrey scratches the mosquito bite. “A game. They were playing it at the bar. You know, that ‘Marry, Kiss, or Kill’ thing, and I just thought we could...” Could what? Be as free and playful as Kai? That’s not really any of them. Especially now. She hears the collective thrum of everyone having a good time, and her lower lip twitches. “Forget it, it’s silly.”
Mallory’s eyes drift to Ilena, and they have one of their silent conversations that always reminds Aubrey of how much longer the two have known each other.
“Not at all,” Mallory says. “A little loosening up can’t hurt. The hype has become overwhelming. It’s like they’re setting us up to fail.”
“They?” comes Ilena’s clipped response.
Mallory and Ilena hold each other’s gaze for a beat that borders on uncomfortable.
Ilena inhales, chest rising, as she turns to Aubrey, whose face as always must say everything she’s thinking, which is aplease, please, please, because they’re unraveling and have been unraveling and maybe it is her fault for not choosing a side, but the last choice she made brought her here, to this thread so frayed that she’s not sure she can hold on much longer.
Ilena takes a long sip of her strawberry mule. “Okay.”
Aubrey smiles the smile she learned she was capable of aftermeeting these two women, so real and full that she feels the truth of it in her toes. Despite it all, they’re here for her. Aubrey both knew they would be and doubted they would be because these things live simultaneously in Aubrey. She never imagined being a part of something like this. Surrounded by people like this. She used to put herself to sleep writing imaginary code, variables and functions waltzing across the popcorn ceiling of her childhood bedroom, the placement of each something she knew instinctively, felt in the marrow of her bones. And now, she’s in charge of employees she still can’t think of as “hers,” even after years of being their boss.
Ilena faces Mallory. “I’ll play, but I need the rules.”
“No, you don’t.” Mallory rubs her hands together. “At least nottherules, you needmyrules. Because what we need is to make this interesting.”
Of all the words that don’t go together,Malloryandrulestop the list. Aubrey is beginning to think this was a bad idea. “Actually, maybe this isn’t the time, we should mingle... shouldn’t we mingle?”
Mallory gives a dismissive wave as her eyes search the lawn. “Ooh, you are going to love this.”
“Somehow I doubt that,” Ilena says.
Mallory ignores her. “This will be spectacular, promise. The rule is AIM. Specifically, anyone who’s here.” Her eyes are pulled to Grayson like a magnet, and yet, unexpectedly, the excitement in them fades. She shakes her head and snaps back to Ilena and Aubrey. “Right, okay, so, out of everyone here, who would you fuck?” She points to Aubrey. “You. Go.”
Aubrey’s heart thumps.Fuck?Not Kiss?
“Mallory!” Ilena cries. “Inappropriate on every level. We’re with our employees! Were you not at that sexual harassment training? We’re not doing this.”
“We are,” Mallory insists. “My version, my rules. And Aubrey wants to.”
“No. Aubrey doesn’t.” Ilena cups her hands around the arm of the chair, and her eyes swaddle Aubrey. “Come on, Aubrey, let’s go.”
Aubrey twists her hands in her lap. She suddenly realizes how very much she doesn’t want to play this game, most certainly not this version of this game, and even more certainly, not thispartof this version of this game. Mallory being Mallory doesn’t excuse her from seeing that. Even the idea of answering makes Aubrey’s heart burn with betrayal. But she’s also being treated like the rope in her best friends’ game of tug-of-war, and she just can’t anymore.
Aubrey downs the rest of her strawberry mule, presses the cool glass against her mosquito bite, and resists the urge to make one of her signature pro-con lists. She simply says, “Kai.”
“Sold,” Mallory says.
Ilena stands. “Happy? We’re done, then?”
“No,” Aubrey says sharply, surprising herself. But her cheeks are on fire, and the alcohol’s making her stomach churn, and she’ll be damned if she’s going to be the only one of them sent for remedial training on their sexual harassment policies.
Ilena nods slowly as if dropping Aubrey into a papoose on her chest. “Fine. Then, who’s next?”
Mallory responds instantly, “You. Marry.”
“Naturally, because irony is alive and well,” Ilena mutters, reflexively spinning the opal wedding ring from Jonah around her finger. She steps forward, beyond the edge of the sandbox, and sets a hand on each of her hips. A perfect, sophisticated silhouette in her long-sleeved white linen shirt, navy blue shorts, and flats that she’s pressing hard against the ground. Ilena sways slightly, neck rotating, until another shriek cuts through themusic and the clank of tumbling giant Jenga blocks. The night is so full of happiness that it pinches Aubrey’s heart.
Ilena’s shoulders pull back as she angles herself toward the paddleboards where Felix and James each hold one of their daughter’s hands, helping her balance.
“Felix,” Ilena says. “I’d marry Felix.”
Mallory gives a mischievous smile. “Which leaves just one thing for me.”
2
