For the first time in months, a genuine smile stretches my lips. “You know I don’t get into a stranger’s van unless someone offers me candy first.”

“Well, get up here, little girl. I’ve got sugar for you.” Cricket puts the van in park and hops out, running around the front of the giant Econoline. “Jesus Christ, you look just like a real celebrity—who forgot to tell her chauffeur where to pick her up.”

I rush to meet her. We collide in a hug. “I thought you were my chauffeur. And early too. I was prepared to wait an hour for Cricket Time.”

My cousin smells exactly the same as the last time I saw her—like pot smoke, coconut, and sunshine.

“God, I missed you, girl. It’s been way too fucking long.”

I pull back. Her tawny eyes dance, and her dark brown hair is braided around the crown of her head like she’s a perfect flower child. And she’s right.

My heart squeezes at her smiling face. I’ve missed her too. I shouldn’t have stayed away so long.

“I know. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry—”

Cricket rolls her eyes. “Shush. You’re here now. That’s what matters. And you’re going to be my maid of honor!”

My stomach clenches, and I’m sure my face looks like I just stepped on a downed power line.”Wh-what?”

Cricket playfully shoves my shoulder. “You knew I wanted you home for my wedding. What makes you think I wouldn’t want you to be my best bitch?”

“The fact that you have a twin sister?”

Cricket’s eye-roll game steps up a notch. “She’s not my best bitch, though. She’s just a bitch.”

I haven’t seen Karma in ten years. She never came to LA or met me at any of Ricky’s concerts when I traveled with him. I assumed she was mad I missed the birth of her daughters, but Karma was born pissed off, so it’s hard to tell.

“I still can’t believe you’re getting married.” I study my cousin, who is exactly one year younger than me and looks every bit the free spirit she’s always been. Her flowy shirt is probably hemp, and her cut-off shorts are likely ones she stole from me when she was sixteen years old. “You swore you’d only ever love God, nature, and your family.”

“That was until I got the good dick. Now I gotta put a ring on it so I can make sure I’ve got that shit locked down for life.”

My smile widens so far it hurts my cheeks, and real laughter rings from between my lips. “Good God, Cricket. I’ve missed you like crazy.”

“Well, obviously. None of those fake bitches in LA could hold a candle to your best girl. We’re blood, baby. It don’t get better than that.”

She hugs me again, and I squeeze tight like she might slip away and I’d lose the one good thing that’s happened to me in years. When we finally separate, I pull my sunglasses off to catch the tears gathering on my lids.