My mouth falls open slightly and I blink at Millie. ‘I can’t do that. I’m not a marine biologist. Also, everything is in your name.’ The more I think about it, the crazier it sounds. Millie has had some insane ideas in the past – dyeing Murphy’s hair green for St Patrick’s Day, convincing our dad to eat a weed brownie, but this takes the cake.

‘But you got a bachelor’s degree in marine science – and you know how to take photos! It’ll be easy! And you’re scuba certified!’ Millie counters, her eyes gleaming, clearly prepared for the argument. ‘And everyone says we look alike, and the visa only takes, like, two days to process, you have plenty of time. Plus, it’s over Christmas break anyways, so no one at work will know that I didn’t go. I’ll get a fake tan and pretend that I went . . .’ She pauses and swallows. ‘Don’t tell me I told you so, but a lot of the trip is non-refundable. It was so much cheaper to do it that way. All that money shouldn’t just go to waste . . .’

‘Millie—’ I try to erase the annoyance in my tone ‘—this is crazy. And . . .’ I hesitate because my voice starts to break. ‘I don’t even want to entertain the possibility that you can’t go. Why are we talking about this now when we don’t know anything?’

At this, Millie softens. ‘OK,’ she says. ‘We don’t have to decide now. It just could be nice for you to . . . you know . . . get out there. And you’d be doing me a huge favour . . .’

I huff. ‘I know how to get myself out there, I’m just not ready.’

‘Andi, I’m not asking you to be ready for anything romantic, I just think it could be good for you to get out of Columbus for a little. So much of your life has changed lately, maybe a vacation will help make sense of that!’ she says excitedly, clearly attempting to lighten the mood.

‘Ugh,’ I groan. ‘I don’t need a vacation. I’m doing fine.’ I gesture at my apartment. ‘My house is clean, Murphy is fed. I’ve hardly cried. I’m fine.’

Millie raises her eyebrows at me in an expression of disbelief that only older sisters can truly master. ‘Right,’ she says, her voice sharp, ‘because all I dream for your life is one that’s fine. Not great, not good, but fine.’

I raise an eyebrow at her.

She grins. ‘So, you’ll think about it? Just in case?’

‘Yes,’ I lie. No way, I’m thinking. Not a chance. I’m good here. In my apartment with Murphy. But as Millie scoots out the door into the freezing Columbus November, I can’t help but think about the sun of the South Pacific on my skin.

Chapter 2