Fox says, “Thank you,” followed by Joy who says, “Nice to meet you, Miguel,” after reading his name tag. They depart as soon as they’re situated in the back seat. Miguel is a smooth driver; however, the dirt road is anything but smooth.

A few bumpy minutes later, Fox taps the back of Joy’s hand. “I heard you,” he says. “Everyone did, actually. I guess he must have made you mad.”

Joy glances at him. “That happens from time to time. Did he talk to you?”

“He did. He apologized, as ordered.”

“Good.”

Fox leans over until their shoulders are touching. “I think I understand why he’s desperate to keep you in his corner now. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t describe it, so I don’t really want to try.”

“Hmm.”

Fox laughs.

“Hey.” Joy pushes back on his weight, just enough so she can turn and lean on him instead. To be fair, he started it. He opened the door she didn’t realize she wanted to sprint through until she saw the light on the other side. “Have you ever been in love before?”

“Why?”

“I’ve been wondering about it. I thought asking a random question about you might make me feel better.” Joy sighs. “I know fighting with someone doesn’t automatically mean you love them any less. Logically, I know that. But I’m kind of struggling.” That familiar prickle is starting behind her eyes. “I just feel like I was really mean to him. Even if it was for a good reason, I should’ve handled it better. You shouldn’t yell at people you love.”

Grace does it all the time. It’s practically her default setting because she’s just a loud person. Joy isn’t. So when she yells, it feels different, more potent. Like she’s choosing to cross a line even though she knows it will hurt someone. It’s intentional and awful and every time she does it, she can’t help but hate herself.

“You shouldn’t,” Fox agrees, “but it happens. That’s hardly something unique to you. I hope it doesn’t feel like that?”

“It does. I’m a selfish monster with a bad temper.” She laughs bitterly. Anxiety is such an unfair mind-fuck because sometimes it can even make her believe Malcolm only brings out the worst in her. If they get together and all they do is fight—about kids, about the future, about sex, about work—it’ll be the worst thing to ever happen to them because they don’t want the same things. They’ll never see eye to eye, never find a way to compromise or agree. She’ll browbeat him, wear him down, yelling and screaming and fighting until she gets her way . . .