Page 138 of Friends with Benefits

Because in a few short hours, Theo will board a flight to New York.

And Evie is staying.

Why is she staying?

“Morning.”

Theo’s laugh was once her favorite sound in the world. Now? It’s the sleepy rasp of his morning voice. Evie wants tobottle that sound, already so jealous of whoever gets to hear it next.

“Hey.”

“I miss you.”

Evie squeezes his hand, then lets go. “Do you need a ride to the airport?”

“I’ll Uber.”

“You sure?”

“Ev.” She feels theacheof that one syllable in her bones. “I need to actually get on the plane.”

“I know.” She sighs, then slips out of his bed. “I miss you, too.”

It isn’t until Evie gets out of bed and closes the door behind her that she realizes: tonight, even if her half-asleep feet carry her to Theo’s bed, tomorrow she’ll wake up alone. Next week, it will be Mindy Singh’s room, Pranav’s sister who just earned a Ph.D. in rocket science and works at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Because of course Theo found a subletter, so Evie wouldn’t have to stress over her living situation, at least in the short term. They’ve spent the days before the inevitable goodbye packing up the boxes that will meet him in Bushwick and unpacking two decades of missed opportunities, what-ifs, and unbearable angst.Obviously. Evie conceded while wrapping the framed photos of them that he asked to keep that it’s easier to push than be left. Theo confessed while boxing up his kitchen gadgets that it was easier to go than to fall.As if I even had a choice. It’s hard. Boxing up his life. Their life. But these feelings will fade.

Eventually, she’ll have her best friend back.

Obviously.

Evie cries in the shower, then gets ready for work. Isn’t sure how her tear ducts are still operational. Asks herself again why she is staying. Pep and Mo are gone. Imogenis leaving. What is still here? Work? Doctors? Her pulse thrashes in her throat.Go. Go. Go.One step at a time, her feet carry her to Theo’s room. But it’s empty. She didn’t even hear the door close behind him and her heart twinges with understanding, imagining his quiet exit.I need to actually get on the plane.

He’s gone.

Theo left.

She wipes her cheeks.

Then, because Evelyn Bloom is someone who stays, she pulls herself together and goes to work.

She’s rummaging through a bin of shoes in search of boots with a block heel when Sadie says her name. Her assignment today is a step pass forMr. Knightley, a miniseries based onEmmaadapted by a team of men. Why? A perfectEmmaadaptation already exists. A film that made Imogen, a lesbian, declare,I think I’m a ho for Johnny Flynn now?But alas, some network executives decided that this is what society needs right now. Jane Austen, from a male point of view.

“Sorry. One sec,” Evie says, assuming they’re behind schedule. “Have you seen the broken-in Clarks?”

“No. Ev—”

“Shit. I’m—”

“Evelyn Bloom.” Evie drops the shoes and spins around when Sadie Silverman full-names her like… like aparent. “Can we talk for a second? In the mixing booth?”

Evie’s eyebrow twitches. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No.”

Without further commentary, Sadie pivots and walks toward the booth. Evie follows behind, a little bit flustered and a whole lot confused because her mentor doesn’t justpauseasession when they’re on a schedule. Inside the booth, Charlie is waiting, holding a cake-size chocolate chip cookie,It’s a girl!written in pink icing.

Sadie breaks. “Charlie. What the fuck?”

Charlie shrugs sheepishly. “It was the only vegan option left.”

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