“I’m dating Gavin.” The words just fell out of my mouth. “Yes, as in Jordan’s brother. We’ve been dating for a while—I mean, I don’t know what is actually considereda while, but enough time has passed that I’m sorta living at his place now and Ben is very much a part of my life and Gavin’s mom knows and I’m sure that means his dad knows, too, and I think Bettie knows also.” My heart was hammering so hard, I put my hand on it. “And I wanted to tell you, Maya. Like so many times. During our last girls’ night when you were saying I needed a guy like Jordan, I wanted nothing more than to tell you I was dating his brother. But Gavin and I hadn’t talked about airing our relationship and I didn’t know if I should say anything and my head was all over the place and I know this is all fucked and you’re probably furious with me for not telling you and ...” I drew in some air, my lungs completely deflated.
Her hand was over her mouth, her eyes wide, almost teary looking.
“You’re furious, aren’t you? You want to murder me? You can’t believe I didn’t say anything and you’re right, I should have said something. I was so wrong. I wanted nothing more than to share it with you, I swear I did.” Had I already said that? Why were the last several seconds a total blur and I couldn’t remember a thing I’d said? Was there such a thing as blacking out sober? “Say something, Maya.”
Her fingers slowly lowered from her mouth, the emotion still in her eyes, and now I could see it on her lips. “When did this start?”
“That night you and I texted from the Uber, remember when I was called out by Dr. Kaplan’s office to do a home visit? And you told me to text you when I got home, and I didn’t?” Her eyes widened as I added, “Well, Ben was the patient—oh my God, I’m not even allowed to tell you that, I’m breaking every HIPAA rule. Anyway, my shift ended while I was there, and Gavin asked if I wanted to have a drink and ... the rest is history.” I pulled the blanket up higher, wanting to hide beneath it. “Things between us moved slow. Painfully slow. It took a while before we even had each other’s numbers. And then the more time we spent together, the harder and faster we seemed to fall.”
She shook her head while she stared at me, staying silent.
“Maya ... you’re still not saying anything.”
“I think that’s because I’m in shock.”
“A good kind of shock? Or an I-will-hate-you-forever kind of shock? I know that with them being brothers, that makes things a bit complicated. Is that even the right word? I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Weird? I don’t know if it’s weird. Or if it’s extra weird. Or—”
“Em?”
I filled my chest with air, knowing the verdict was about to be given. “Yeah?”
“I have a lot to say about this, but first, I need to get this out ... We’re going to be sisters-in-law.” Her head fell back, and when it straightened again, her eyes were filled with tears. “We’ve always been sisters, but now we’re going to officially be sisters.”
“I don’t know about that. Gavin and I have a long way to go before he puts a ring on my finger—or if that ever even happens at all. But Maya, we’re happy.” My eyes started to tear. “We’re so happy.”
She caught the first drip that fell from her eyes. “I’m beside myself right now. I can’t even believe it. Never in a million years did I think this was what you were going to tell me.” Her mouth dropped open. “Wait a second, you were in Nashville with Gavin, weren’t you, you little minx.”
I laughed. “I was.”
“When I found out you were going, I told Jordan if you went to the game and didn’t reach out for tickets, I was going to murder you.”
I winced. “Do you still want to murder me? Not just about the game—which I did go to with Gavin, by the way—but about everything?”
I heard the deep breath she exhaled. “Murder, no. But am I hurt, yes. I can’t lie to you and say I’m not. We’ve had so many convos about you finding a man or a man like Jordan—convos that have taken place since you’ve been with Gavin—and you never said anything to me. Come on, Em, we’re stronger than that.”
“I’ve been sick about it. I swear I didn’t do it to hurt you. You know I love you more than anything in this world.”
“And that’s why you should have told me ... because I am hurt.”
I nodded. “I know. You’re right. And I’m so sorry.”
“If I weren’t so far into dreamland right now, I’d probably be a lot snappier and hold a grudge and give you at least a few days of silence to make you really stir.” She gave me a stern look. “Ultimately, though, I just love you. I love Gavin and Ben, and what this news means—I love that too. We’re going to be a family.”
I didn’t know why, but hearing her say that—something I’d always considered Maya anyway—made the tears come out even faster. “Babe, we are.”
She rubbed her lips together. “And now we’re one step closer.” She shifted the phone, and suddenly there was a giant diamond on the screen.
Round.
More carats than I’d ever seen.
It sparkled so vibrantly, I could see every color of the rainbow.
I swore my eyes popped out of my head when I yelled, “Are You Engaged?”
Her fingers wiggled. “It happened last night.” Her face returned to the phone. “I died when he asked me and I died again this morning when I woke up and realized it wasn’t a dream—hence my dreamland comment.” I could tell she was bouncing. “My best friend is completely in love with the most amazing guy and has the sweetest little boy as a bonus kid. I’m engaged. And now we’re going to be one giant family. I swear, life couldn’t get any better.”
“Maya ...” I dabbed the corner of each eye. “I can’t believe this is all happening. That it’s happening for us. That we’re getting everything we’ve ever wanted.”
