Page 128 of Friends with Benefits

“I hate you.”

“I love you, too.”

Imogen pulls into Solvang Inn & Cottages and Evie isn’t taken by the thatched-roofed accommodations.

She’s not.

They enter the bare-bones cottage and Imogen tosses first her backpack, then herself, onto the one bed they’ll share. “I texted Steve.” Steve is a local who Imogen befriended years ago during an aforementioned pilgrimage. Midforties. Wearseyeliner. Has a chihuahua tattooed on his biceps. “We’re going to the Tiki Lounge tonight.”

“Okay.”

“It’s karaoke night.”

“Have fun.”

“Evie.”

“What?”

“It’s beentwo months.” Imogen’s nails dig into Evie’s shoulders. “I love you, but this mess of your own making? It’s sodumb. So! We are here to have fun, because we are happy in Solvang! Then? You’re going to go home and talk things out with Theo. Because you love him and he loves you andthis”—Imogen lets go and gestures at the lovesick mess that is Evie Bloom—“is such a bummer to be around.”

“So then why are we here?”

“Because—”

A knock on their cottage door cuts off Imogen, who’s on her feet to answer like she’s been waiting for it. Evie is so overcome and overwhelmed to see her grandparents at the threshold. Pep, dressed in an NPR T-shirt, loose linen pants, and hiking boots. Mo, with a sunburned nose and a grown-out beard.

“Hi, Sweets.”

Imogen waves dramatically at their grandparents. “Because!”

Wrapped in their familiar embrace, Evie is happy to see them.

Sheis.

But also.

Is this an ambush?

“I can’t believe you’re here!” As much as she misses Pep andMo, she’s unable to keep the suspicion out of her voice. How does she get out of whatever this is? Imogen has her cornered. “Sorry. What are you doing here?”

Mo makes a silly face as he ruffles her hair. “We missed you, too, kiddo!”

“Oh, we’ve been meandering our way back down the coast!” Pep slips her shoes off. Makes herself comfortable on the two-seater couch. “Just came from San Simeon.”

“Have you not seen the photos?” Mo frowns. “We send them to the clouds.”

“Thecloud, Mo.”

“Is that not what I said?”

Pep rolls her eyes. “Anyhoo, Genny called. Wanted us all to be here together before her big move. So we came!”

Oh.

This… is not an ambush?

She feels like such an asshole for her assumption that she goes along with everything Imogen wants to do, which is likely what her sister wanted all along. Imogen Bloom is sort of a mastermind like that.We are here to have fun, because we are happy in Solvang!Evie attempts to embrace it. Solvang. Serotonin. It’s easy when she’s spending time with her grandparents, who are still so stupid in love with each other. Mo surprises Pep with her favorite ice cream, unprompted. Pep reapplies sunscreen to his nose every ninety minutes. Hand in hand, they browse the street stalls and gift shops and this—this—is the love that Evie wants. Over thirty years of choosing each other without being tethered by a marriage license. She sips on soda water and picks at crackers and grapes on a charcuterie board while listening to their travel tales during a wine tasting that stretches on for hours.

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