“Nothing holy about us, but it’s nice that you think so highly of us,” Mom says. “Want to watch?” She motions toward Lisa Rinna having an intense convo with Garcelle Beauvais. Okay, so maybe I’ve watched a few episodes to try and figure out why so many people love these ladies, but I still don’t get it.

“Sorry, I can’t, I just . . .” I drift off, my mind still too stunned by the truth that a merperson washed up on a Santa Monica beach and is now a solid part of my life.

Raul gives me a knowing smile. “I knew it. You always get that look on your face when you’re planning one of your movies. Martin Scorsese has some work to do.”

“It’s really more a Jon Chu, Nora Ephron, Nancy Meyers kind of direction,” I say. Sure, the Scorseses and the DuVernays of the world make great work, but what’s better than watching something that makes you want to fall in love and laugh all at the same time? Rom-coms are God’s work.

Speaking of which, Raul’s right. I may not be planning out my next movie, but I’ve got to plan the setups and shot list that will create the perfect scenarios for Dominic to see me and Ross together. If I get this right, D will be running back to my arms while Ross runs back to the sea.

“I made inspiration strike, didn’t I?” Raul says. “Basically, I’m your muse.”

“If my life ever gets made into a movie, you’ll be listed in the special-thanks credits,” I say, then book it to my room and open my laptop. For the first time in weeks, pulling up the Love Shot List feels hopeful instead of hurtful. It paid off not to listen to Kavya’s advice to forget D altogether and delete the document. Now I have a shot at making some of these moments a reality again. Maybe the first year of our relationship was the setup to our rom-com, the opener when everything was fine until it wasn’t. Then life literally threw the unexpected at us to make the two of us realize we’re meant to be together. What is more unexpected than a literal merperson washing ashore?

It’s time for a new shot list, the second act, so to speak, of Dominic’s and my journey to being together forever. A series of events set up to run into him and Miguel as much as possible without making it feel forced, being that ever-present reminder of what D left behind, pressing the jealousy button that I know is waiting just under the surface. With any luck, we’ll get to the finale fast, Dominic will end things with Miguel, and my original Love Shot List will be our happy ending.