Page 8 of Everything's Coming Up Rosie

“That was one time,” I say. “And it was an emergency.”

“Emergency Burrito.” Taylor says this like it’s an official thing, and smiles as we cross the street toward the restaurant. “Do you know how many times during this pregnancy I wished I had a whole jar of Jif and one of those chocolate pudding Snack Packs?”

“As a matter of fact...” I start to dig through my bag.

“You don’t have a—” She gasps before she can complete the thought as I pull out a chocolate Snack Pack.

“Oh. My.Gosh, Rosie!” We practically collapse into each other, laughing so hard we can’t get words out. People walking by probably think we’re deranged or drunk or both, but at this moment, I don’t care.

Marnie walks over to us and starts to say, “What is wrong with...” And before she finishes, I toss the Snack Pack in herdirection, which she swats out of the air with a “What the... ?”like it’s a large bee made of pudding. It rockets straight into a guy’s arm who was walking past, and he startles with a, “Hey, watch it!”

This sends us into near-hysterical asphyxiation. Taylor grabs her stomach and wheezes, “Stop it, stop it, I’m going to have the baby right here!” I can’t breathe, and I’m going to die happy.

Taylor finally gathers enough air to gasp, “What the heck, you Snack Pack lunatic,” which sends us laughing again.

We come to our senses, shaking heads and wiping tears, and she wraps an arm around me. “Whew. I needed that. Oh my gosh.”

I glance around and notice a few side-eyes tossed our way. “We must look crazy.”

She laughs and points a don’t-get-me-started-againfinger at me. “I know. You’re the only friend I have who is willing to make a fool of herself on my behalf.”

I grin and bend over to pick up the pudding. “I make a fool of myself as a job.”

Maya spots us from down the block and storms toward us. “Finally!” She lifts her arms, and her diamond catches the sunlight, a reminder that her life—like everyone else’s—is right on track. “I’m starving.”

Marnie smiles. “I’m so glad we’re all together again.”

“And we have so much to celebrate!” Taylor says.

Maya opens the door to the restaurant. “We can be sappy later.AfterI get my avocado toast.”

“She’s still mean when she’s hungry,” Marnie says in a low whisper as we walk inside.

“And she eats avocado toast. What’s next, lemongrass bagels?” I whisper back. Taylor stifles a laugh and gives me a gentle elbow to the ribs. Maya was always a little like a tiny garbage disposal. It was impressive how much food she could put away for being such a small human.

We’re seated at a table in the back, and after the waitress brings us our drinks and takes our orders, I feel a shift in the mood. It’s like a dark cloud just covered the sun, save for the spotlight that just flicked on in my face.

And, yep. They’re all looking at me.

My smile is weak. I’d decided I need to come clean with them on the drive over. After all, if I don’t go home tomorrow, which was my original plan, they’re going to figure out the truth. That I don’t have any idea what comes next.

Still, now that I’m sitting here, under the weighty glares of three people who probably know me better than anyone, my courage slinks out the back door.

“You haven’t been straight with us,” Marnie says.

Uh-oh.

“Yeah,” Taylor chimes in. “We’re trying to live vicariously through our friend who lives in New York City, butshewon’t tell usanythingabout what it’s like.”

My heart drops, hopefully not too noticeably. “Right. I was going to, I just—”

“We saw the video, Rosie. It’s amazing!” Maya practically squeals.

“The... what? What video?”

“The one where you’re like, mean.” Maya shimmies her shoulders.

Mean? What are they...?

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