She nods again. “My point is, we could figure this out if you wanted to. Like eventually, when you feel more put together, and you ultimately realize that the East Coast is a dull freezing tundra compared to the glory that is SoCal.”

Everything is so tangled up and confusing right now. I don’t know what to say, so I pull her into another hug.

72. A Girl Meets a Family

JAMIE

September 7, Monday Evening

New York City

I’m only ten minutes late to meet Zarar as I sprint out of the train station. I spot him on the sidewalk, holding a bouquet of blood orange flowers.

A sense of relief floods through me at the sight of him—like falling onto the couch with some tea at the end of a long day relief. It’s so hard to be in that house with Mara. Every interaction is stressful and strained.

“Hey, Z.” I smile.

“Hey, James.” He holds out half the flowers toward me. “These are for you. I’m glad you’re coming today.”

I take the flowers and bite my lip, looking down at them. “I hate flowers.”

His eyes do this twinkly thing they do when he’s amused but not laughing. “Of course you do.”

We turn and start toward the subway.

“I do like the color, though.”

“Good.”

“But flowers are stupid.”

He looks down at me, talking out the left side of his mouth, as we wind through hordes of New Yorkers during rush hour. “You’re very welcome. I’ll get you more next time.”

I grin. “Next time I’d prefer cheese. Or a duck. Or a duck shaped out of cheese. Or pretzels. Or a cheese pretzel. Or pasta. Or a muffin. Or a burger.”

We cross to the next block with a herd of humans. “So basically, any food,” he comments.

“Yes, Jamie love food. Food good. Get her food.” I floof my hair. “Who are the other flowers for?”

“My mom.” His mouth turns up the slightest bit as we come up on the subway entrance. “She enjoys a good flower.”

I grin, watching the pavement as we start down the stairs to the underground.

“Are you okay?” Zarar asks as we reach the rank-smelling landing. “You’re giving off a sad vibe.”

I shrug. “Torturing my mother isn’t giving me the happy rewarding glow I thought it would, and Siri’s kind of living it up in my place.” I shake my head again. “I’m really glad I’m with you for the rest of the day.”

Zarar presses his lips together as we step up to the edge of the platform. “They do always say that thing about revenge not being the answer.”

I cross my arms. “It’s not the answer, but it’s fun. It was supposed to be fun.”