Tyler slowed just as we passed through baggage claim, recognizing the couple waving to us before I did.

“Isn’t that…?”

“Oh, fuck,” I said as my stomach sank.

Finley pulled her newest sunglasses from her face and walked quickly to me in six-inch Louboutin heels, her arms outstretched.

She threw her arms around me, and I looked to Tyler in a panic.

“Finley,” he said, opening his arms to her. “Good to see you.”

“You too, but I’m hugging my sister for the first time in almost a year,” she said, continuing to squeeze the life out of me. “You can wait.”

“Fin,” I said, trying to keep the contempt from my voice. “What a surprise.”

“I know,” she said, finally releasing me. She wiped her cheek. “I didn’t warn you. But I knew you’d say not to come. It’s been ten months, Ellie. I couldn’t give you one more day of space. You’re my sister.”

“I’ve been calling you like you asked.”

“I know,” she said, glancing at Marco. “But it’s not enough. You’re my best friend.” Her eyes danced between Tyler and me. “What? What aren’t you telling me?”

Tyler looked at me, and my mind raced for a believable lie.

“We’re uh … we’re moving in together,” I said.

Finley and Tyler shot me identical expressions.

“We were going to try to move my things before the New Year. It’s just a really bad time for our first visit.”

“Oh,” Finley said. She looked a bit lost, and then a grin spread across her face. “Well, congratulations, you two!” She hugged both of us, and Tyler choked when Finley squeezed his neck into her shoulder. “That is so exciting. Our parents can’t wait to meet you,” she said, pointing at him with her glasses. “They’d love to see your new place. I would love to see your new place!” She clasped her hands together. “In Estes?”

Tyler looked at me with his mouth hanging open, unsure how to respond.

“Yes, it’s in Estes Park,” I said. “He has an apartment across town from mine.”

“Can we go now?” Finley asked.

“Fin…”

“I just came to Colorado to see you. I literally have nothing else going on.”

“…great. That’s great,” I said with wide eyes and a forced smile. I looked to Tyler. “Um … uh … honey, I guess they can follow us to my apartment? You can just drop me off. I know you have a lot of things to do.”

He mouthed honey with a disgusted look on his face behind Finley. I shot him an expectant smile that surely made me look like a lunatic.

“Sure … honey,” he said. “Are you familiar with this area?” he asked Marco.

“I have navigation,” he said with a proud smile.

“We’ll meet you off Peña Boulevard at the Avis rental place, then you can follow us from there.”