“No. I will tonight. She was too consumed by who you were snogging in New Madrid Saturday and why.”

Olivia plopped heavily enough against the back of her seat for her head to thwack against the headrest. “Nobody in America uses the word ‘snogging.’”

“Maybe not, but it’s a touch more satisfyingly graphic than just saying ‘kissing’ or ‘making out.’”

“It irks me that she went to you to ask about me.”

“Uh, you don’t have a phone right now. Besides, I’m sure she knew you wouldn’t tell her anything.”

Olivia sucked in a giant breath and did her best to release it in one slow, controlled stream, only to find that did nothing to calm her nerves. “What’d you say?”

“That she’d have to ask you… Thus dinner tonight at Gramps and Grams’s.”

“Great. I can tell everyone about my snogging escapades at once. Did you tell her about the dog at least?”

“Yep. She wanted to know why we were driving down. Better for a dog than a boy.”

“Why is it that I’m twenty-five but feel sixteen? I mean, seriously, Mom was pregnant with you by my age.”

Ava rode the brake through the congested parking lot. Both the front and back lots were pandemonium at dismissal due to the slew of parents picking up their kids and aides and other nonteaching staff making a prompt exit. “If it helps, I’m sure the attention won’t linger on you long.”

Ava was right. Regardless of what was circulating through the rumor mill, what was happening to Ava right now was top priority. Feeling more than a touch inconsiderate, Olivia placed a hand over the top of her sister’s. “Any news?”

Ava’s lips squinched together for a second or two. “Does him texting to ask if I’d consider using a mediator to save money count as news?”

“Oh, Avey. Why is he being such a dick?”

Ava pressed a little too hard on the gas before pulling out, and Olivia was jerked backward against her seat again. “Sorry.” Her sister tapped Olivia’s knee pointedly. “Software engineer with a master’s degree or not, I outearned him all three years we were together. I put so much money into that wedding. And into that condo—the one he’s suggesting we sell so we can both have a fresh start.”

Olivia mulled this over a few seconds before responding. “Have you thought any more about what you want?”

“Yes. I want to adopt that cat. I want to sell the house and start fresh. And I definitely want that cat.”