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Chapters (58)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise for Abbi Waxman and her novels
  3. Berkley Titles by Abbi Waxman
  4. Dedication
  5. Epigraph
  6. Summer
  7. ONE
  8. TWO
  9. THREE
  10. FOUR
  11. FIVE
  12. SIX
  13. SEVEN
  14. EIGHT
  15. NINE
  16. TEN
  17. ELEVEN
  18. TWELVE
  19. THIRTEEN
  20. FOURTEEN
  21. FIFTEEN
  22. SIXTEEN
  23. SEVENTEEN
  24. EIGHTEEN
  25. NINETEEN
  26. TWENTY
  27. TWENTY-ONE
  28. TWENTY-TWO
  29. TWENTY-THREE
  30. TWENTY-FOUR
  31. TWENTY-FIVE
  32. TWENTY-SIX
  33. TWENTY-SEVEN
  34. TWENTY-EIGHT
  35. TWENTY-NINE
  36. THIRTY
  37. THIRTY-ONE
  38. THIRTY-TWO
  39. THIRTY-THREE
  40. THIRTY-FOUR
  41. THIRTY-FIVE
  42. THIRTY-SIX
  43. THIRTY-SEVEN
  44. Fall
  45. THIRTY-EIGHT
  46. THIRTY-NINE
  47. FORTY
  48. FORTY-ONE
  49. FORTY-TWO
  50. FORTY-THREE
  51. FORTY-FOUR
  52. FORTY-FIVE
  53. EPILOGUE
  54. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  55. Readers Guide
  56. Questions for Discussion
  57. About the Author
  58. What’s next onyour reading list?

Laura was unable to hold in a gasp, and everyone turned to look at her. “Sorry,” she said, going bright red. “I . . . uh . . .” Her family argued all the time, but it was usually about some arcane point of knowledge, rather than ad hominem attacks on one another’s character. Those they saved for one-on-one conversations, but for the first time Laura could see the silver lining in that.

The kettle was coming to a boil, and Maggie’s eyes were glittering with emotion and embarrassment. “Guys, would it be possible to get together without it devolving into a screaming match?” She turned to Asher. “Stop insulting Jeff, he’s not here to defend himself, and he and Sarah are very happy together.” She turned to Sarah. “And stop poking at Asher because he borrowed a little money years ago. He paid it back, and I would have done the same for you.” She paused. “I still would, not that you want my help with anything.”

“What does that mean?” Sarah’s quills were still sticking out all over, her readiness to defend herself pokily palpable.

Maggie sighed and raised her hands in surrender. “Nothing. It means I would help you. I would help Asher. I would help anyone who asked me, if I could.”

There was a pause, and Laura could see Sarah’s face working as she battled for the right comeback. In the end, she picked the wrong one. “Well, you’re a fucking saint, aren’t you? And I’m the miserable sinner who ruined your perfect reputation at the tennis club.”

Maggie flushed and shook her head. “No, and you know that’s not fair.”

“Don’t be a bitch, Sarah,” said Asher. “You’re too old to get away with it.”

Sarah was gathering her things, putting the pack of cigarettes back in her bag, hurling the lighter after it, throwing the bag on her shoulder, and getting ready to leave.

“Don’t make me any tea, Mom,” she said sarcastically. “Not that you asked me if I wanted any.” She walked out of the kitchen. As she went down the hallway, she said loudly, “Bye, Asher, see you in another four years, maybe.”

“Sarah . . .” he called back. “Don’t leave.”

“Why would I stay?” she asked as they all heard the front door open. “I’ve never been welcome here, and honestly, I’m cool with that.” The door slammed, and the house shook for the second time that day.

TWENTY-EIGHT