“Are you saying I should abandon my internship and conservation program and move to Oregon?”
“No. I think you should give a long-distance relationship a shot,” she says. “It might not end in futility. It might actually work out. Things change all the time. Years ago, Vincent and I planned on moving to San Francisco?—”
“You guys did?” My brows furrow. I guess it makes sense. Vincent’s family is spread out across the Bay Area.
“But now we don’t see ourselves leaving Malibu,” she continues. “Vincent’s working for a firm he’s proud to work for. We’re close to our friends. We adore this neighborhood.”
“Okay, but it’s hard not to think about the inevitable demise when we both want different things,” I whisper. “How are we supposed to be in a relationship, long-distance or not, if we want different things?”
“I hate to point out the obvious,” Bell calls out, and I step out of Betty’s arms as she approaches us from the entryway. “But Barbie… You need to face the facts. You’re already in a long-distance relationship with him.”
18
ETHAN
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH
“What do you say,Ethan? Should I put wet dog food in your burger?”
Flashing Aaron a thumbs-up, I scan the message from Barbie. It’s the first text she sent me in days. I know she’s been busy with her internship, picking up her bridesmaid dress, and spending time with her sisters; however, I can’t help but miss the ocean fun facts she’d send me every morning before work, blurry shots of helicopters where she’d ask me to identify them, and nineties infomercial compilations Ihave to see at this very moment.
Barbie: Up to go fishing tonight, Pilot?
I definitely miss listening to her unbridled laughter as she strategically outlines how she’s going to pet all the chickens, goats, cows, and pigs on our co-op farm while teasing me for doing the same thing during every game session.
She thinks I’m that much of a fishing enthusiast. She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m converting the shed I built in the game intoan aquarium. It’s a work in progress, but I’m filling the shed with tanks of fish she likes.
As I respond to her inquiry, I slowly lift my head and frown. “Did you say dog food?”
Aaron groans and, after setting the spatula down, retrieves his wallet. With a long-suffering sigh, he holds out a bill, which Lara snatches when she sidles to the grill.
“Do I even want to know?” I ask dryly.
“I didn’t think you’d catch on with dog food,” Aaron grumbles.
“And now I’m twenty dollars richer.” Lara beams. “Ethan, if you don’t want to be here, you can go home?—”
“No. I just need to respond to Barbie,” I say, “and then I’ll be fully present.” My eyes flit up from my phone when Lara holds her hand out expectantly, and Aaron hands her another bill.
“Dammit, man,” Aaron grunts. “Lara said you were texting Barbie. I thought you were chatting with one of those lonely MILFs in your area.”
Lara and I stare at him.
“MILFs?” Lara crosses her arms. “I feel like I’ve just learned so much about your internet browser history.”
“I’m surprised you kept in touch with her,” Aaron says, ignoring the look on my sister’s face. “Thought you found her aggravating.”
“She’s not so bad,” I say.
“That’s Ethan-speak forI’m in love with her,” Lara states.
“That’s preposterous,” I respond.
“That’s Ethan-speak forI’m in denial,” Aaron stage-whispers to my sister.
“I’m not in denial,” I say, then point my forefinger at them both. “Do not say it’s Ethan-speak forI’m totally in denial.”
“If it quacks like a duck,” Lara replies, “and texts Barbie nonstop at every Sunday dinner and stupidly leaves his phoneunattended, where I can see the picture set for her in your contacts.” She tilts her head, a vulpine smile playing on her lips.
