“Okay. I love you, sister.”
“Yeah.”
I end the call and open EverX.
Why not tonight?
11?
See you then.
Yayoi calls while I’m driving to Ashton’s apartment. She’s usually asleep by ten, so I paw at my Apple CarPlay to answer, convinced something bad has happened.
Is she miscarrying? Is Geoff okay? Is she dying in a ditch somewhere?
“Hello? Hello? Are you okay?”
“Whoa,” Yayoi says. “Calm down. I’m fine.”
“Jesus.” I press a hand to my chest, willing my heart rate to slow. “Why are you calling me so late?”
“The baby thinks I should be vomiting at this time of night. You’re the only person I know who stays awake past ten. Talk me out of my morning sickness.”
I laugh, the flood of adrenaline shifting to giddy relief. “Okay. How do I do that?”
“Wait. Are you in your car?”
“Yeah.” I stop at an intersection, tapping my fingers on the wheel.
“Where are you going this late?”
“To visit Grandma.” I exchange an awkward glance with the guy in the SUV next to me. “Where do you think I’m going?”
A silence follows. “You’re... meeting someone?”
“Yes, Yayoi. I’m meeting someone.”
“Meeting... Asher?”
My stomach drops. “What? Why would you ask that?”
“Oh.” Something rustles in the background. “No reason. Never mind.”
Nuh-uhh. No way was that a coincidence. Super sus. “Do—do youknow?”
“Know what?” Her voice is too chipper.
The distraction keeps my foot off the gas, and someone behind honks. “Shit.” I speed through the intersection. “Did Asher tell you what happened?”
“He—um—no. He didn’t tell me. He asked Geoff for advice.”
“Geoffknows?” I rub my forehead. “He’s going to hate me.”
“No! No. He doesn’t hate you.” Yayoi’s tone is sincere, but I can’t believe her. Geoff is Asher’s bro all the way. IfAsher pulls away from me, Geoff will side with him, and Yayoi will pick her husband, as she should.
Everything’s falling apart around me. All the staples in my life, ripped out and warped.
“Right.” The burning in my throat is back. “So, what was Geoff’s sage guidance?”
