Half an hour later, Liza was showered and sitting awkwardly in the living room in her snug jeans and a Grab ’Em by the Pussy shirt, listening to Colin describe every politician he had ever met. She tapped her phone to call up Dorsey’s texts. They were becoming a comfort to her, something she had come to expect every day. She texted:

At Play Cousin & BFFs house.

His reply was quick, as if his phone had been in his hand.

How is that going?

I fell in horse manure so . . .

Genius plan! Make them want to make you leave immediately.

I think I still have shit somewhere. It’s coming off in waves

It’s the hair clip.

You’re right I should take it off

Three dots.

No, wait. It’s the bra.

Good idea! That’s off too

I’m on my way.

Liza laughed out loud in the quiet room and jolted everyone out of their polite and quiet agreement on the grandeur of the home. Colin touched her arm. “Did you know I brushed past the First Lady at a book signing? She’s not that nice,” he stage-whispered.

“Honey, why don’t we show Liza around the place?”

Colin walked Liza around their historic home, giving her infinite details about the original windows and the procedures associated with changing the baseboards in a historic home. “Senator De Berg has been kind enough to supplement the cost of some upgrades like central heating. Do you know how expensive installing central heating in a historic home is?”

“I bet it’s a lot,” Liza mumbled.

“Tons,” Colin corrected. For the third time, he looked down at her shirt.

“If we dine out with Senator De Berg, you won’t be wearing that shirt, will you?”

Liza looked down innocently. “I was thinking about it.”

“Once again, he is an ally,” Colin warned.

“Then he’ll laugh it off.”

“It’s crude.”

“It’s true.”

“Liza,” Chicho interrupted. “What about that cute little military-style blazer you have? Did you bring that? It would go great with your jeans and can class up your shirt.”

Liza loved that jacket. Chicho knew this. They looked at each other for a minute.

“C’mon. It gives you Janet Jackson ‘Rhythm Nation’ vibes,” Chicho wheedled.

“I know.” Liza rolled her eyes and slumped her shoulders. “I’ll wear the jacket.” Chicho mouthed, “Thank you,” and Liza checked off a box inside her head.

• Smooth sailing with my BFF

Honestly, she and Chicho hadn’t talked much these past several weeks, and when they did, the conversation had taken on a new strained quality. Liza was frantically asking after everything with fake cheerfulness, and Chicho tried to tamp down her enthusiasm for her new life.

“The senator’s friends with Only Ms. Venezuela.” She used their nickname for Dorsey. “You’re just now getting over all of the memes, but I couldn’t tell him no.”