“It’s not only a drink. It was dinner, too. And the champagne before dinner—” she says.
“The champagne’s going on our hotel bill,” I say.
“You know what I mean,” she says, staring solemnly into my eyes.
I wait for the punch line or the dig, but she just keeps looking at me, without a trace of a smile or any of her usual antics. “You’re being really nice—and I appreciate it.”
I nod, then say, “Well, I’m very happy for you. And proud of you.”
“Thank you. That means a lot,” she says.
Her expression is so serious that I start to feel off balance.
“Okay. What’s going on? Did something happen with Ian?”
She shakes her head. “No. Nothing happened. What could have possibly happened? We just got here.”
“I know, but you’re acting kind of weird.”
“I’m not acting weird. I just wanted to thank you.” She pauses, then takes a deep breath. “I also wanted to say that I’m sorry. About our conversation. At lunch.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” I say, brushing her off.
“Yes, I do,” she says. “I shouldn’t have pressed you like that.”
“It’s okay, Lainey.”
“No, it’s not okay. It was insensitive.” She takes a deep breath, then says, “And since lunch, I’ve been thinking about that terrible week. How upset you were with me after it happened—”
It, I think.
A singular, neuter, impersonal pronoun—and one of the simplest two-letter words in the English language. And yet, right now, out of Lainey’s mouth, it covers so much. It sums up the worst hour, day, week, and month of my life, as well as the end of Summer’s life. It sums up Lainey getting drunk and blowing off Summer’s parents, then going to party in Myrtle Beach.
“Lainey, you’ve already apologized for that, too. It’s ancient history.”
“I know it’s ancient history—but I can see now that my actions must have hurt you even more than I realized. We all lost our best friend…but you lost even more than that. And I’m just so sorry.”
“Thank you,” I say. “That means a lot. I promise we’re all good.”
She lowers her head, then nods. I put my arm around her shoulders.
“Now, c’mon,” I say. “Let’s go have a good time.”
—
The night turns out to be pretty fun. Archie and Ian are both cool, and the five of us mix it up with other random people, too. Funnily enough, the girl Lainey accused me of flirting with when we first arrived in town is here. Lainey points her out in a wildly obvious way.
“Who dat?” I say, squinting across the dance floor.
“You know exactly who dat is. You never forget a face,” she says as the woman starts swiveling her hips on the dance floor. “Or an ass.”
“Whatever, Lainey.” I laugh just as the woman catches us staring at her.
Lainey motions for her to come over to us.
“What are you doing?” I say.
“I’m getting the show on the road. You obviously need help.”
“Trust me. I do not need any help,” I say as the woman approaches us.
The Lainey effect, I think. Everyone follows her orders. People taking photos for her, hotel concierges, pretty girls in bars. Everyone.
A second later, the woman is standing in front of me, smiling. “Didn’t I see you in the Piazzetta the other day?”
“You did,” I say.
“And he’s been talking about you ever since!” Lainey says.
I roll my eyes and smile. “I’m Tyson,” I say. “This is my troublemaking friend Lainey.”
The woman laughs and says, “Ciao, Tyson. Ciao, Lainey. I’m Amore.”
“Amore?” Lainey says, nudging me with her elbow. “As in love?”
Amore laughs and nods.
“Well, could that be any more perfect?” Lainey says, looking at me.
