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“My turn!” Gretchen says. She looks at us excitedly. “So, mine doesn’t come in a box or a bag. But! You two have officially been upgraded to first class on your flights.”

“What?” I ask, wondering if I misheard her.

“Delta loves me,” she says, primping her sleek bob. “I’ve got Platinum status. And Harrison has so many points from all his work travel. It was no problem. And you’re going to die, first class is amaaaaazing.”

I meet Agustín’s gaze. “Have you flown first class before?” I murmur.

“No,” he murmurs back. Good, we’re in this together.

“And finally,” Miriam says. “This last gift is from all of us. I know you’re worried about leaving the dogs with me and the cats. Well, we are each going to look after one of them while you’re gone. That way, they’ll get the specialized attention I know you want them to have. Even though I could definitely handle them all myself,” she adds.

I could be knocked over by a stiff breeze. “Who’s taking who?”

Gretchen raises her hand. “Charleston. I’m used to diapers.”

“Hazelnut,” Sanvi says. “We are going to pamper her to death, and I can’t wait.”

Oh boy. Hazel is going to love that.

“The Colonel,” Mr. Bloom wheezes. “I heard he likes classical music.”

“I’ll take care of his insulin shots,” Miriam adds. “And I’m taking Pip, since he’s the biggest handful of the bunch.”

I don’t know what to say. My head spins, my chest tightens, and I look into the faces of the people who have lived alongside me for years. Who I can now call friends.

“Thank you,” I say. There’s a flurry of activity as plates are cleared, glasses refilled, Madame Boularès changes the record, and Mr. Bloom gives the Colonel one final bit of sausage.

I glance at Agustín, sitting beside me, and know this would never have happened if he hadn’t come into my life. If his name hadn’t been on that plus-one list.

And in some way, if Rachel had never met Diego, I’d never have met Agustín. The threads that connect us, across boroughs, across countries, can weave a web we don’t even know will ensnare us. Until it does.

The sun dips to kiss the treetops of Central Park and I reach out and take Agustín’s hand in mine. Not because I’m anxious.

Just because.

29Agustín

“Señoras y señores, bienvenidos a la Ciudad de Mexico. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Mexico City.”

Eloise peels up one corner of her glittery, rainbow-patterned sleep mask and blinks at me. “We’re here?” she croaks.

“We’re here,” I say.

This was the best flight of my life. I knew first class would be comfortable, but this was a whole other level. The leg room. The service. The free drinks and food. I think Gretchen has ruined flying coach for me for life.

And the sweatsuits Sanvi and Kate gave us are crazy comfortable. Even if Eloise and I do look a bit like that weird couple who wear matching outfits. Eloise had taken two of those melatonin gummies before we even got out of the cab at JFK. Then we had a Bloody Mary at the airport bar while she tried not to hyperventilate. I’m glad we were able to board the plane first, so she didn’t have to wait in a long line. Once we got settled in our seats, I think the melatonin, vodka, and general anxiety over this trip just wore her out. She was basically unconscious for the whole five-hour flight. I didn’t even have to use the backup plan I’d made in case of a major panic attack.

As the plane taxis toward our gate, I peer out the window and wait for my phone service to connect.

Ping. Ping, ping, ping.

Both our phones start to light up with notifications. We created a group thread last night before the party ended, with all the neighbors. What a special event. I wonder if Eloise realizes how she brought that whole floor together. How she created a community where there wasn’t one before. She did that.

Everyone has sent photos with the dogs. Miriam’s pic shows Pip in a standoff with Milhouse:

Adjustment period. They’ll be besties soon, don’t worry.

Mr. Bloom’s shows a picture of the Colonel sleeping on his bed: