“My sweet, innocent friend.” George’s eyes swing to mine. He’s practically vibrating. Something is bubbling beneath hisskin. “You should have known I already had something in mind.”
• • •
We’re an houraway from the resort when George clears his throat.
“So I spoke to Aurora,” he says.
“Yes, she told me you were in cahoots.”
“I wouldn’t say we were cahooting. But when she told me your honeymoon was partially paid for, it seemed like a good opportunity.”
“For what, exactly?” I’m certain he’s reached the same conclusion as me—that this is a chance to find our footing again.
“For getting you over this breakup.”
“Oh.”That. “I’m actually doing okay. But thanks.”
“Frankie.” George’s voice is low. “I saw you that morning. I know how much he hurt you.”
A hazy memory of George bundling me in his arms flickers in my mind.
I’ve got you. It’s going to be okay.
I open my mouth to apologize, but he speaks first. “For someone so small, you weigh a fucking ton.”
I huff. “I’m five-nine.”
“Pipsqueak,” George says. “Now about my plan.”
“George,” I say. “Are you serious? I’m fine.”
“The people who love you say otherwise.”
I narrow my eyes. “Who else are you in cahoots with?”
He shrugs. “Everyone.”
“Oh my god. You talked to my mother.”
“I did.”
“George!”
“You know I talk to her. You should try it sometime.”
George calls home to my mom almost as often as he calls home to Mimi. I bet they’ve both been giving him reports on me.
“All right. Let’s hear about this plan of yours.” There may be a touch of skepticism in my tone. George has many skills—mostof the skills, to my annoyance—but organization isn’t one of them. He’s a man of action.
“We have seven days in Tofino,” he says.
“If we make it there.”
“Which means,” he continues, “we have seven days to heal your broken heart. Because despite what you may say, you—my brilliant, resilient, feisty friend—are, by all accounts, a shit show.”
“Rude,” I say, but I’m grinning.
“In seven days’ time, you’ll be sleeping better. Your self-esteem will return to its previous overinflated state. You’ll be eating like the glutton you are.”
