Page 71 of Happy After All

My heart gets tight. I think of her life, which hasn’t been easy—I know it hasn’t. Emma’s dad really sucks, and Elise’s heartbreak was doubled because he didn’t just hurt her, he hurt their daughter.

“Elise,” I say. “Whatever happens with you and Ben, you already have a happily ever after.” I try to force a smile, but it’s hard. I feel pressure against the backs of my eyes, and I take a deep breath.

“Someday,” I say, “we’ll have a whole conversation about LA. About who’s well endowed and who isn’t. Today, though, I’m going to go on my hike. I want you to think about Ben, and everything you deserve.”

“You’re wonderful,” she says. “I’m grateful I have you, because if ... if I try something with Ben, and it goes bust, at least he’s not my only friend.”

I laugh, because what else can I do?

“Human hearts are absurd,” I say. “I think if Ben likes you enough, no matter what happens, he’ll still be there for you. Even if you give this a try and it doesn’t work romantically. I think with the two of you, it wouldn’t destroy your friendship.”

“You make him sound like the perfect guy.”

“Well, let’s not get loopy, but he’s pretty awesome.”

“So the thing with Nathan ...”

“Just sex and ...” I wrinkle my nose. “He’s helping me with something.”

“What?”

“We really don’t have time to get into that right now. I’ll update you after the hike,” I say.

Unless I’m having sex.But I don’t say that part.

Elise and I walk out of the room together, and that’s when I see Nathan, standing in the courtyard, surrounded by the cribbage ladies.

“Just move it slightly to the left,” Lydia is saying, guiding his movements with the overhead string lights.

“No to theright,” says Gladys.

“Please, give the man his due respect,” I say.

“We do respect him,” says Lydia. “And all the time he must spend working out.”

“I’m so very sorry,” I say, moving over to him and taking his arm reflexively. The gesture is not lost on the ladies. “They’re incorrigible, and I feel like I have to warn you that they’re just objectifying you.”

Wilma huffs. “We are frail, darlin’; we need a man’s help.”

“Somehow I think you all do just fine on your own,” Nathan says.

“I wouldn’t know,” says Wilma. “I always have a man when I need one.”

I’m about to take Nathan by the arm and lead him away when Emma and Sofia come flailing across the path, with Angel close behind them.

Nathan looks down at the scene, and I’m surprised when he smiles at their antics. I can’t quite parse the feeling it gives me to watch them play. It’s like the peak of joy mingled with the pit of sadness. A valley with a beautiful view.

“He’s a pirate!” Emma shrieks.

“I’m a monster!” Angel shouts back.

Emma stops and points at Nathan. “No,he’sa pirate.”

Then she and Sofia run away, giggling loudly while Angel stumps after them.

“A pirate?” he asks.

“I don’t know,” I say. “Maybe it’s a vibe.”

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