“Meh,” Lainey says. “I just wasn’t feeling it.”
I can’t help but smile to myself.
Chapter 23
Hannah
I wake up the next morning with a feeling of anticipation, but it takes me a second to remember why: Olivia is coming. As I roll over and find Lainey still sound asleep, my excitement quickly dissipates, replaced by acute nervousness.
In the bright light of day, without the cloud of alcohol, I realize what an untenable plan Olivia and I made last night. Lainey is going to kill me. Panicking, I reach for my phone, wondering if there is still time to cancel. But I quickly discover that it’s nearly eleven o’clock and Olivia’s travels are well under way. She sent a text at nine-thirty that says: Getting to Naples around noon and will try to make the 12:40 ferry.
A second text just came in, reading: Hello? Are you getting these? Still okay that I’m coming??
There is no mention of Lainey, but I know that’s what she means by her last question.
I take a deep breath, then text her back: Sorry! I just woke up! I will be at the dock when you arrive!
I put my phone down, looking at Lainey again. I don’t like keeping a secret from her—or Tyson, for that matter—especially on a trip like this one. But I remind myself that I’m not meeting Olivia for Lainey; I’m meeting her for me. It feels like an acceptable loophole.
If, later in the day, Olivia and I decide to tell Lainey that she’s come to Capri, the ball will be in her court. If she wants to meet her sister, she can. If she chooses not to, that is also fine.
Our pact, along with this trip, is about the sanctity of our friendship, but it’s also about following our guts. Tyson followed his gut by breaking up with Nicole and quitting his job, and Lainey always does exactly what she pleases in whatever moment she’s in. It’s my turn now. I need to be true to myself.
I ease my way out of bed, doing my best not to disturb the sheets and blankets wrapped around Lainey. The longer she stays asleep, the more time I have to figure out what to tell her I’m doing today. I could always use Archie as my alibi, but I don’t want to overtly lie. A lie of omission feels bad enough. I have a couple of hours to figure it out.
I take a shower, then apply loads of sunscreen and a little bit of makeup. After debating what to wear, I go with a canary yellow cotton midi dress and white canvas sneakers. Just as I’m leaving the room, Lainey says my name.
I turn and smile. “Good morning!”
“Where are you off to?” she asks, her head still on the pillow.
“I was just going to get some coffee. Do you want anything?”
“That’s okay,” she says as she sits up and gives me a once-over. “Why are you dressed so cute? Are you seeing Archie today?”
“This isn’t that cute,” I say, dodging her question.
She nods, then says, “You look good.”
I thank her.
“Where’s Tyson?”
“I’m not sure. He was already gone when I woke up. Maybe he’s working out.”
“Working out?” she says. “You don’t think he’s hungover?”
“You know Tyson doesn’t really get hungover,” I say. “He always stops himself before he goes too far.”
Lainey nods, and I slip out the door before she can ask me any more questions.
—
I milk the clock for as long as I can in the hotel restaurant, drinking coffee and eating a chocolate croissant. When I finally return to the room, I find Tyson and Lainey on the balcony. They are both on their laptops, looking engrossed. I brush my teeth, then grab a small crossbody bag, gathering my credit card, my phone, and a room key.
“All right, y’all!” I call out to them on my way to the door. “I’m headed out for a bit.”
“Wait. Where are you going?” Lainey asks me.
“For a walk,” I say, my heart racing as I make nervous eye contact.
Lainey nods, then says, “I’d come with you, but I’m going to start working on my script.”
“And I’m helping her,” Tyson says.
“We can meet up with you a little later,” Lainey says. “Assuming you aren’t with Archie.”
“Sounds good!” I say, turning back around.
“Have fun!” Lainey says. “Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do!”
—
I spot Olivia the second she steps off the ferry. She is wearing chambray shorts, a white tank top, and tennis shoes, with a sweatshirt tied around her waist. Her dark hair is in a short ponytail, and her only luggage is a backpack slung over one shoulder. Her gait is strong and confident, and as she nears the top of the pier, I can tell how muscular her arms and shoulders are. She definitely looks like a professional athlete, and for a second, it almost makes me want to go lift some weights.
I watch her for a few more seconds, feeling worried again. Hopefully, this visit won’t result in an argument with Lainey.
As Olivia steps off the pier, she looks right at me but doesn’t react. Apparently, she hasn’t been stalking my Instagram the way I’ve been studying hers.
