Page 39 of No Place Like You

“You? Ziplining?”

She huffs. “Yes,” she answers, a little annoyed. “Why?”

“Have you forgotten your debilitating fear of heights?” I tease.

“I’m trying to face my fears,” she explains. “Plus, it’ll be fun.”

I chuckle.

“So I’ve been back and forth with Rita, and we decided about two months out?—”

“Who’s Rita?”

She exhales an exasperated sigh. “Hayden’s aunt. Remember? I told you about her when we were talking about the reception? We’re doing a garden style party. Twinkle lights and all.”

“Right. Sorry,” I tell her, remembering the last conversation we had where she word vomited everything she could about the wedding via a ninety-second phone call before she hopped into a crowded subway train.

“Anyway, we’re keeping it small and intimate. Just a few family members who are willing to fly out, like Aunt Carlita and Jaqueline,” she explains, referring to my dad’s sister and our cousin. “And, of course, Mom and Dad and Hayden’s mom, plus a few of Hayden’s college friends like Dexter.”

Dexter.

“Oh.”

“So I’ll go ahead and send you the link for the hotel and wedding dates so you know exactly when to book your flights,” she continues. “Unless you want me to book yours too. You’ll fly out of Seattle International, right?”

“Uh…” I hesitate, reminding myself I’m supposed to be in a completely different time zone right now. “It’s fine. I can book my own flight.”

“Are you sure? I can send you the money for it then.”

I cringe. “Yes, I’m sure, Nat,” I assure her.

“Really? I really don’t mind helping you out. Those plane tickets can get pretty pricey.”

“Nat—”

“Lucy,” she interrupts. “I’m not trying to be overbearing or anything. Mom’s doing enough of that, but I don’t want to add to your stress. And I swear I’m not complaining. It’s just…”

“What?”

She sighs. “Mom mentioned that…she wants you to move back home.”

I groan. “Seriously?”

“She was just throwing it out there, but I think she’s just as frustrated as you are about having so much trouble finding a job. And with the internship you mentioned?—”

“I should’ve never brought that up,” I say, cutting her off. A swirl of emotions starts to stir inside of me. I don’t know whether to be upset or sad or just outright annoyed. “You know, she wasn’t like this. She used to let us spread our wings and all that shit.”

“I know. She’s worried about you.”

“I must bring it out of her,” I huff. “Nat, I’m sorry you got caught up in all of this but seriously, I’m fine.”

She stays quiet, and I wonder if she’s shifted completely from being on my side to Team Mom. Maybe while she’s telling me all of this as gentlyas possible, a part of her agrees with my mom. I just hope they don’t stage some kind of intervention or something. “I’ll talk to her when I see her,” she finally says. “Maybe I can buy you some time before she flies over there and starts packing up your things.”

“Oh god,” I grumble. “I will seriously set up a barricade if she does that.”

Nat laughs. “There was also another thing I wanted to ask you.”

“Yeah?”

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