Emma
-$56,480.32
“I need Advil,” groaned Emma. “I need Pepto-Bismol and Advil and Excedrin and Tylenol and coffee.” She pressed her palms to her eyes. “I have never been so hung over in my life,” she said. She felt as if she was going to throw up and cry simultaneously.
“You were a wreck,” said Cleo.
Emma opened one eye. Cleo lay next to her on Sylvie’s cozy bed, propped on one elbow. “Where’s Sylvie?” said Emma.
“I don’t know—she was here when I fell asleep,” said Cleo.
“So she forgave you?”
“Yeah,” said Cleo. “Yeah, she forgave me.”
“It was my fault, too. Maybe even more my fault.”
“Damn right,” said Cleo.
Emma could only laugh. She sat up, fighting back a wave of nausea. “I have to call Rich,” she said. “Cleo, I have really messed up this time.”
“Can’t argue with you there,” said Cleo.
“Do you think he’ll leave me?”
“I don’t think he will, Em,” said Cleo.
“I’m too nauseous to call him,” said Emma, snuggling backunder the covers. “I want to live here,” she said. “I want to live at Mumberton Castle with Rich and the boys and start over. I want to go back in time and make better decisions.”
“You can’t go back in time,” said Cleo. “But you can have everything else. Why not? Ask Simon if you can stay here. He wants to go back to Miami. Maybe he’ll…rent it to you. I don’t know.”
“I never should have stayed in Montana!” said Emma.
“Hey,” said Cleo. “It’s OK, Emma.”
Emma started to cry. “It’s my hangover,” she cried. “Or maybe it’s my hormones!”
“Oh, Emma. You’re allowed to want more.”
Emma shook her head. “I’m not allowed to want anything,” she managed.
“Jesus Christ, Em! Did you hear what you just said? You can at least be nice to yourself,” said Cleo.
“I don’t let myself want anything, actually,” said Emma.
“I know,” said Cleo. “Believe me: I get it.”
Emma took a deep breath. “I know you get it,” she said. “I know you do.”
“I mean, the only person I enjoy being with on the island of Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs is Isaac,” said Cleo. “I literally dislike everyone else in my life.”
“Isaac has always loved you,” said Emma.
“Well, unfortunately, he just met someone. She’s Jewish, and her name is Rebecca. And for another thing, what if we try to date and then it falls apart….”
“I get it,” said Emma miserably.
“I know you get it,” said Cleo.
