Becky’s name is at the top of my email. Finally.
From: [email protected]
Date: Fri, Dec 31, 2021 at 8:44 am
Subject: As requested…
Hey Seth!
I get chills at the sight of his name.
“What the fuck?” I say out loud.
“What is it?” Alyssa asks, concerned.
I hold up my finger and read on:
The space is perfect—even better than the pictures. The Realtor said the owners would be open to us renovating it to our specs. The deadline for the lease application is January 3, so we shouldmake a decision ASAP. Let me know if you want to move forward. Hope you have a great New Year’s in Florida!—Becky
“Holy shit,” I murmur.
My mom flicks flour at me. (Flicking food at people is a trait I inherited from her.)
“Tell us what it is, goose!” she says. “And stop cursing.”
“It’s no big deal,” I say, trying to get control of my pulse. “Uh… I got an email that was meant for Seth.”
“SethRubenstein?”Mom asks.
“There is no other Seth,” Dezzie says. “You know there is no other Seth.”
Alyssa puts her hand on my shoulder. “You okay?”
“Yeah. No worries,” I say. “Just surprised me.”
“What does it say?” Alyssa asks.
“Not much. Some business thing. But, I guess he’s here. For New Year’s.”
Which, of course, ruins my plan.
I must look as distressed as I feel, because the kitchen goes uncomfortably quiet.
“Didn’t his parents always have a big New Year’s Eve party?” Alyssa asks.
“Yeah. With all their golf friends. We crashed it once,” Dez says.
“Maybe that’s what you should do, Molly,” Alyssa says softly. “I bet he’d be happy to see you.”
But I can’t go to the Rubensteins’ in this state. I can’t even watch slightly emotional television commercials in front of other people without freezing up in embarrassment. Giving my big speech in front of Seth’s parents or, God forbid, Dave, would be like attending all the weddings and christenings and funerals in the world while naked and shivering.
“I don’t want to talk about Seth,” I mutter.
Alyssa, Dezzie, and my mother are all staring at me sadly, with looks that vary between “I feel bad for you” (Alyssa), “I’m worried you’ll never be happy” (Mom), and “You are the stupidest woman in the world” (Dezzie).
“Oh my God, stop it!” I say. “It’s fine. I’m fine. Can we eat?”
