The first five minutes were a blur of fear-induced adrenaline. But after that, it slowly started to become easier. Granted, I drove possibly twenty miles an hour, sometimes less, and we only passed one other car the whole way back. It still counted, though.

Arthur stayed leaning in toward me, being quietly encouraging. The snowfall started to lessen, too, becoming less murder-blizzard and more “isn’t this charming.”

I heard my phone buzz.

Arthur shifted back into the passenger’s seat to properly check it.

“Ayisha texted back,” he informed me.

“Would you read it to me?”

“ ‘Cool.’ ” He nodded approvingly. “Succinct. Ah, wait. Here’s another.” He read, “ ‘Your parents finally made it to the party. Yeah, they’ve been totally doin’ it.’ Oh.” He glanced at me. “Relations have improved, I take it?”

“Mom cut his sandwich the way he likes it and Dad saved her favorite Christmas movies.”

“Makes perfect sense. Here’s another text: ‘They’re asking where you are.’ ”

“Tell them—”

“ ‘And don’t even think I’m going to lie for you.’ ”

“Oh my God, I wouldn’t!” I said, and he started to text. “Don’t send that.” He backtracked. “Tell them the truth”—Arthur typed with his one thumb—“and that we should be back soon. Wait, very soon. It’ll make Mom feel better.”

“Send?”

“Send.”

He hit send.

“New text. ‘Now your grandma wants to know where you are.’ ” Arthur typed his own reply while vocalizing it for me. “ ‘Arthur here. Does Ms. Brown know who is returning with Finley?’ ” He waited a moment for the reply to arrive. “ ‘Nope. I thought the surprise would be fun.’ How romantic. Ah, wait. One more. She could give Bronwyn a run for her money in terms of texting speed.”

I shot him a look. “Don’t ever compare Ayisha to Bronwyn.”

He didn’t bother to try to defend himself. “Understood. And the new text reads: ‘Mamma and your mom are talking. I heard them say Barrington at one point. I have questions!’ ”

Hearing that sent a shot of excitement through me. Arthur also seemed pleased.

“Is she coming to join us?” he asked.

“Hope so.”

Esha’s voice piped up from the back seat. “Is this regarding Ayisha getting in touch with Sonya?”

“Yes, Mashi.”

“Well, let her know I’ve sent a message to Sonya,” Esha continued. “I should imagine if Ayisha has already been accepted once that she meets their requirements. Getting her in a second time shouldn’t prove too difficult, particularly if your pregnant roommate drops out.”

I looked at Arthur. “I thought you were against gossip.”

“It was pertinent!” he defended.

“Thank you for helping,” I redirected back to Esha.