“Now, now.” I slung my bag over my shoulder. “I’ve given up on men in order to work on myself. As you can see, I’m volunteering and—and…” I sighed. “Well, I don’t know what else yet, but no men for me. Sorry, Helen.”
“Ah well. Good for you.”
“It is good!” Jin nodded. “My aunt never married. Lived to be one hundred and seven.”
“Oh my.” I thought privately that my escapades thus far had surely shaved several years off my life already.
“Thank you, Rachel.” Phyllis shook my hand. “See you next week.”
“Next week? But I thought I answered all of your questions?”
“Yes, of course, but I have to bring my quilting group. They’ll love you.”
Hearing this from Phyllis kept a smile stuck on my face the whole way home.
CHAPTER 21
ON SUNDAY WE GATHEREDfor a picnic lunch at Green Lake to celebrate Amy’s birthday. As Amy unpacked the food from her basket (because of course Amy would prepare her own birthday lunch), I asked, “Where’s Sumira?”
“She bailed last minute.” Eva sprawled out on Amy’s gingham blanket. “Said something came up.”
“That’s very vague.” I tipped my head back, enjoying the feeling of the sun dappling my face and chest.
Amy looked a little troubled, frowning as she opened a Tupperware container of finger sandwiches. “Hope she’s okay.”
“Hey.” I kept my voice bright, trying to cheer her up. “Want your present?”
She did indeed perk up as I handed her a glittery gift bag. She withdrew a book. “Oh my God, Rachel, what is this?”
“It’s Gwyneth Paltrow’s sex book. For you and Ryan.”
Eva snorted.
Amy thumbed through it uncertainly.
“Jane recommended it.”
“Jane used this book with Owen?” Amy and Eva both lookedamused and impressed. “That’s a side of her I was not aware of,” Eva added.
I nodded and helped myself to a smoked salmon sandwich. “How are things with Ryan, anyway? You’ve been quiet on the marriage front.”
“You know, Ryan is okay.” Amy stowed the book back in the gift bag. “Things have been pretty good. Couples therapy is helping. It’s been months since I burst into tears when he wasn’t in the mood for sex.”
“And are you”—Eva paused delicately—“having any?”
“More than before. Still not a lot. But I’ve made peace with it for now. I do love him.” Amy plucked a bunch of grapes from another Tupperware container and popped one in her mouth. “The other day—he knows how much I loveDownton Abbey, and he asked if I would rewatch it with him so he could get to know my favorite show.”
“Okay, that’s sweet,” Eva said.
“Very,” I agreed.
“I’ll let you know what he thinks about this sex book.” Amy smirked. “Speaking of Jane, how’s her new job? She’s a special correspondent now?”
“Yes! Special correspondent for women’s issues.”
“Yikes.” Eva cringed.
“No, it’ll be cool stuff like women in politics and equal pay.”
