Page 49 of Spindrift

“Idon’t do flings.”

“Tryit. It might help you get over Hannah, and honestly I don’t like you being upthere all by yourself.”

“Yousound like Mom.”

“Momtold you to have a fling?”

“No.The being alone part.”

“We’reallowed to worry about you.”

“Ikeep telling you I’m fine.”

“JesusChrist! You were suicidally depressed three months ago. You’re not all right.” AnnaMaria’s outburst over the speaker sent Nell slinking to the far end of theporch. Emilia felt just as stunned.

“I’msorry,” Anna Maria said. “Twins. No sleep. I didn’t mean to yell at you. I justdon’t like you being so far away.”

“Iknow. I miss you, too.”

“I’mglad you’re making friends.”

“Thankyou.”

“Evenif Morgan is hot enough to make me consider switching teams.”

“Gross.”

“Sexualityis fluid. Shouldn’t you know that?”

“Unlikeyou, I don’t like thinking about my sister’s fluidity.”

“Orfluids,” said Anna Maria.

“Hangingup now.”

“Justtry to have fun!”

“Bye.”

“Sexis—”

Shedidn’t wait to hear what else Anna Maria had to say about sex. Flings were easyto suggest when you were happily married, she thought, trying not to feel asurge of jealousy. In real life, flings ended in messy feelings. Or at least,Emilia’s always had.

Evenif she did want Morgan—and her body had been painfully clear on thataccount—she hardly knew her. If, once she got to know her better, she decided afling was a safe idea, then maybe she’d consider it. She couldn’t affordanother blow to her mental health so soon. Self-destructive behavior didn’tsuit her. It also tended to get other people hurt. For now, she’d focus on thehouse.

Herphone buzzed again later that afternoon: Lillian.

LL:Down for a run?

ER:I can be there in 10.

“Wantto go for a run, Nell?” she asked her dog as she threw on her workout clothes. Nell’sears perked up, and she nosed Emilia’s sneakers enthusiastically.

Morgan’struck was not in the driveway when Emilia pulled in. She swallowed herdisappointment and parked, letting Nell out on a leash. Lillian came to thedoor a minute later without either of her tripods.

“Hey,”Lillian said, dressed in a short-sleeved sweatshirt, running pants, and neonsneakers. “You chose a dog with the right number of legs.”

“Shepeters out after a few miles, though. How far do you usually go?”

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