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Phoebe: Yeah. What are you running away from?

“Did she say yes?” Sam was once again reclining and shoveling chips in his face.

“Not yet. I’m trying to convince her. Right now we’re baring our souls. This is how girls bond.”

“You’re not telling her you got fired, are you?”

Phoebe had told Sam, of course. She always told Sam everything, and vice versa. It helped to have someone on your team when you had four siblings and a neurotic mother.

“I am. Why shouldn’t I tell her?”

“Because you want her to think you’re responsible enough to stay in her house?”

“I’m still responsible, Sam.”

He made a skeptical noise.

Arden: Honestly, I want to get away from myself.

Tilting her head sympathetically, Phoebe tutted.

Phoebe: Don’t say that. I’m sure you’re amazing!

Arden: Thanks. I guess I just have some bad habits to break.

Phoebe: What are you giving up?

“Please not cigarettes,” Phoebe said. That might be a deal-breaker.

“She smokes cigarettes?”

“Shh.”

Arden: Someone completely wrong for me.

Phoebe: Whoever he or she is, they are not worth your time and energy. Don’t give them another thought.

Arden: If only it were that easy. But I am trying!

At this, Phoebe hesitated. She felt the familiar itch to help solve Arden’s problems. She wasn’t sure if it was because she was the eldest daughter or if she was just a nosy do-gooder, but she’d never been able to resist helping people, even when they didn’t want it. Problem-solving was an impulse she could never resist.

“Poor thing,” Phoebe murmured. “I’m going to try to set her up with someone. Maybe Carlos from work or—”

“On a date?” Sam didn’t bother sitting up this time. “Bad idea.”

“Why?”

“Because if it goes poorly, she’ll blame you. She can go online if she wants a date. Does she know anyone in Seattle? It’s a brand-new pool of fish.”

“That is a good point. She’s never been here.”

“There you go!” Sam gestured emphatically with a chip. “If you want to make it interesting, you guys could make a bet. See who can go on the most dates.”

“Excuse me?” Phoebe swiveled around to stare at her brother.

“You could use a date or two.”

“Look who’s talking, Mister Hasn’t Been on a Date in over a Year!”