“I just don’t know if it’s going to come together,” said Phoebe. “I’m so behind. Honestly, I feel a little bit like I’m being chased. We open so soon, and I have no idea how I’m going to get it all done. I know it’s this incredible opportunity, and I don’t want to let Benna down, especially now that she’s given me this chance. I’m just so disappointed in myself. I mean, sure, it’s not, like, awful. I just know that I can do better, and I can’t figure out how. It feels like there’s some missing ingredient I haven’t landed on yet. I mean—Oliver.”

I took my hands away from his shoulders.

“Did you feel, when you put it on, that you were fully the yeti?”

“Not yet,” he admitted.

“I believe you mean not yeti,” muttered Touchstone. It was the most disparaging I’d ever heard a pun sound.

“I really do think it’s going to come together, Phoebe,” Oliver said.

“I can help,” I said. “Seriously. Whatever you need. Just ask.”

“Thanks,” Phoebe said.

“She’s a good helper. Just ask Ros. They would have failed physics without Celia’s help. In some cultures, that’s known as cheating,” Touchstone said.

To this sudden barb, no one had any response—the room was full of the sounds of people half-heartedly eating their risotto. Touchstone reached for more wine; he was nearly finished with his second glass. He was in a mean mood, no doubt perturbed by Oliver Teller’s presence, and he seemed determined to cause a scene tonight.

“Can I ask about this house?” Oliver said.

“Please do,” I said, batting my eyelashes at him and hoping Ros noticed.

“It’s sooooo cool,” Audrey said. “It’s funny—I’ve lived here my whole life, but I never knew this little road was back here.”

“Me neither,” said Phoebe. “It’s so sneaky. Like a weird little hidden pocket.”

“I didn’t trust Touchstone when he told me this was the turn. I was sure we’d have to back out and keep going,” I said.

“Well, I’m jealous,” said Audrey. “Living in a house with your friends for three months? My parents would never let me do anything like this.”

“Seriously,” said Phoebe. “Talk about lucky.”

“We’re really lucky,” I agreed, resting my head on Oliver’s shoulder.

“We are lucky,” said Ros. “But we also have Celia.”

It was the first thing they’d said all dinner. Everyone turned to look at them.

“What do you mean?” said Oliver. I lifted my head to give them my full attention.

“I mean, like—we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. Not just the dinner. But here, together. She organized the whole thing. Came up with the plan in like an entire afternoon. It was kind of amazing. She just, like… sprang into action.”