She’s the sun, and I’m a planet in her orbit. There’snorhythmtothewords notyet Theyneedshading Shaping Artisticabilityrunsinthefamily,butIlackGrandma’sskillwithwords.Picturesaremoremyspeed.Princesseswithgolden curls.Firemageswithwhite-blondehair.Acrobaticmonkswithflaxenlocks. Ofcourse,Idrawalotofcurvyblondes.Ihaveinspirationfromthegirlnextdoor.
Thankfully, myroomis a refuge. It’s small onlya desk, a bed, a bitoffloor space, and a bigwindow overlookingour backyardandthenext-doorneighbor’s butit’smine.Thewhitedeskiscoveredinmulticoloredsketches.Thebedstillrocks Spider-Mansheets(under theplainredbedspread,ofcourse).TheRoyLichtensteinpostersblendperfectlywiththeshelves packedwithgraphicnovels.Oneentirebookshelfisfilledwithmodernclassics.Anotherwithadaptationsofclassicliterature. That’s sortofwhatI’mdoingnow, tryingto turnmythoughts into a story, the wayGrandma does The visuals Iadore castleswithgrandtowers,knightsslayingdragons,wavescrashingintocliffs andthewordssheadores.
My cousin Fern and I are working on a project for Grandma’s birthday A small graphic novel, where a butt-kicking adventurerdestroysevilandfindslove.Itcombinesallofourpassions.
She’s the sun and I’m the planet, powerless to resist her orbit
Sure,whynot?
It’swhatIwouldsay,anyway
I rushbackto mydesk, pull mylarge sketchbook a different one fromontop of myart textbooks, and I draw. Three panelswheretheloveinterest,anadventurer,staresatthesky,professinghislovefortheprincess.Butnottoher,notyet.He’s practicingfirst
“She’sinheroffice,”mycousinFernsays,steppingintothekitchenfromthebackyard. Fernismoreofanoldersisterthanacousin,really MymombailedwhenIwasateenager,soIgrewupherewithGrandma, andFernspentsummers intheroomnexttomine.Shetookmeunder her wing,sinceIwas twoyears younger andinfinitely less cool Her (really, our) older sister looks out for me, too, but she isn’t here now because she’s taking courses at UC Berkeley.
“Let’ssneakoutandgototheparty,”Isay. “Youreadmymind.”Ferngrins.“Nosneakingin,though.We’reinvited,remember?” Well,notspecifically,butIknowwhatshemeans.WehaveanopeninvitationfromMr.Huntingtonto come by anytime. Fernchecksheroutfit apairofhigh-waistedjeansandoneofGrandma’sbutton-upsilkblouses andnodsherapproval “How’s myhair?” She tosses backher darkbrownhair as if the natural-lookingwaves are, infact, natural. “Do I need a makeover?” She doesn’t wait for a response, just dives into her romance novel–inspired daydream “Canyouimagine that scene?AmakeoverbeforeapartyattheHuntingtons’place?Icouldslidedownthestairsinabacklessgownandsilverheels, withmyhairpinneduponmyhead.”
Itake her hand and follow her outofthe kitchen We cross the grass inour tinybackyard, into the side yard, the one that connectsourhousetotheHuntingtons’.
As usual, the tall wooden gate is wide open, allowing anyone and everyone into the party well, anyone and everyone invited.
Themusicgrowslouderaswestepintotheirbackyard.NowthatI’mcloser,Icanseethepeoplearoundthepoolaremostly adults Friends ofMr Huntington They’re insuits and cocktail dresses, sippingclear liquor frommartini glasses or bubbly liquidfromchampagneflutes.
Mysister keeps talking, the guests keep mingling, the music keeps playing But I don’t hear a thing Onlythe notes Lexi createsinmyhead.Abeautifulmelody,asromanticandtimelessandeasyasadance.
Fernfollowsmeinside,fromthebackyardintothemainroom.Forafewminutes,shestandswithme,watchingLexigreet her father’s friends professionallyand her school friends casually. As usual, Lexi slips betweenmodes perfectly. She stays charmingandeffervescentandinviting.
After Fernfinishes her punch,she leaves probablytogosee thatbartender andIstandatthe wall,alone,watchingthe action.EverytimeLexifinisheschattingwithafriendandgoesinsearchofanotherconversation,Itellmyself, This is it. I’m going to talk to her Everytime,I’mtooslow.Myheartisthunderingandmyfeetfeellikelead.
Again, the roomparts People move toward the couchonthe rightor the shelves ofclassic literature onthe left, to make roomforapastrychefholdingamassive,three-tiercake.
Andrightbehindthechef?
Lexi’soldersister,DeannaHuntington
Eventhoughshe’sonlytwoyearsolderthanLexi,thesameageasIam,Deannaishopelesslyoutofplaceattheparty. Why am I here energyradiatesfromher It’snotjusttheheavycombatbootsorthethickeyelinerorthezippersonherasymmetrical dress.It’ssomethingabouther.
And like me, Deanna adores her sister. The second she and Lexi make eye contact, all that awkward energydisappears. She’shappytobehere,celebratinghersister’sSweetSixteen.
Mr Huntingtonchimes infirst Bythe third word, the rest ofthe crowd is singingalong Happybirthdayto Lexi Happy birthdaytothemostbeautiful,charminggirlintheworld.
Myhoursstudyingthehueandshapeofhereyesfromafarfailedtopreparemefortheintensityofherstare Then, just as quickly, she smiles at someone else, a broad-shouldered guy in a leather jacket, and all the light flees the universeatonce.
Maybe, in Grandma’s books, I could get together with someone like Lexi But here, in Orange County? Why would the HomecomingQueendatethepresidentoftheGraphicNovelClub?
Iwaitfor her to pass slices ofcake around the room, thenIsneakto the backyard Ittakes too longto move throughthe crowdedspace.Therearetoomanypeopleeagertoorderdrinks,dance,wishLexiahappybirthday.
“Lookatthat,Dee.Fivemonths,twenty-sixdays,”Lexisquealsasshesendsathumbs-uptoherboyfriend’stext,thenslipsher phone into her purse. She steps into the huge elevator and presses the buttonfor the penthouse floor. “Canyoubelieve I’ve beenwithJakethatlong?”
Maybe,sincewe’remeetingwithawoman,wehaveachance.Womenaremorewillingtoinvestinproductsforwomen.I don’t evencare that the app isn’t just for women, it is for women, and that’s all that matters today. As longas we have a chance Anychance
This almostsix-monthrelationship witha manshe metonMeetCute? That’s a top sellingpoint. Evenif, for some reason, Lexican’tseethat
Ihad to wager 5 percentofmyshare ofthe companyto gether to give the guya chance, butI’d happilypartwith all my shares to see her successful inlife and love Fortunately, though, she was satisfied with5 percent, and we’ll still be mostly equalpartnersinthis.
Honestly,whileIdobelieveit’shappened,likeItoldher,it’sstillasurprise Nearlysixmonthswithoneperson Lexiina monogamous relationship. And withthe guywho firstasked her abouthow she sees her wedding. That’s exactlywhatLexi thoughtshedidn’twant
Buttheappknew.
Italwaysknows
Isthereabetterpitchforthesuccessofourapp?
NotifyouknowLexiHuntington.
Theweirdthingis,thetwoofthemmakeperfectsense Despitehisborderlinestuffyjobasanemploymentattorney,Jakeis as fun-loving as Lexi. They both adore pop music and syrupy sweet alcoholic beverages and lounging on the sand every Sunday Thus,thegiantsmileonherfaceatthemoment It’snotthe5percent.
Her nose scrunches indistaste. Her eyes glaze over. Her entire bodytwists into the strangest posture: still beautiful and bubblybuttotallydisgusted,too Andthereitis:theLexiIknow. Sheisn’tinterestedincommitment.NotthatIblameher.How canshebelieveanythinglastswhenwelostMomsoyoung? “WhywouldIgetmarried?”shesays
There is one bar andit’s constantlyfilledwithmoms anddads whowanttotalkaboutPTAmeetings andHOAdues And there’sthatonenightamonthwhereolderwomengotomeetyoungerguys.Iaccidentallywentonce,andsomeguys,whowere waytooyoungtolegallybeinabar,hitonme,eventhoughIwas“actuallyyoungerthantheyliked”
I’mtoobusyhustlingformoney.I’mtootiredofpretendingtolikeinvestors.DoIreallyhavetopretendIalreadylikeaguy I’mmeetingfor the firsttime, too? I’mtiredofwearinghighheels to meetings and dates, evenifImostlywear high-heeled boots.Combatbootsaresomuchmorecomfortable.Andnice,thickeyeliner.NotthistinylineIweartolookprofessional. TheelevatordooropensbeforeIcananswerher“but” Lexiwaitsformetofinishmylipstick,takesmyhand,andleadsmeintothebig,modernlobby. This is one of the few venture capital firms in our area, and it feels distinctly Orange County. There’s a certain bland perfectiontothespace.
Nocubicles.AllopenofficeswithwindowslettingintheCaliforniasunlightandbamboosit-to-standdesks. Leximovesthroughthespacewithease.Sheknowswhereeverythingis.She’stheonewhofitsintothebig,beautifulworld here Becauseshe’sLexiandshefitsineverywhere
WilladoesitinaBossBabe, I control this place and I could control the universe, if I wanted sortofway. WillaWilderisexactlywhoIwanttobeintwentyyears.Sheradiatespowersimplybystandingtallinherblacksuit.She dresseswithoutanespeciallyfeminineflair shorthair,flatshoes butstillpullsoffaskirt-suitwithsilverearrings She’sthepictureofasuccessfulwoman.Andshedoesn’thidehersexappeal,either.She’sallbusiness,yeah,ina maybe I will have a martini with a twist after this sortofway
Willa smiles as she nods hello tous.She’s a friendofour father’s.We’ve seenher athis parties,a few times,butwe’ve nevermetascolleagues.ShestudiesLexiwithanexpressionofquietcompetence,notingthepinkdress,thenudepumps,the silvernecklacethatsays stylish businesswoman.“Youalwayswearpink.”
Shemovesallthewayaroundthetabletoofferherhand Lexishakesit.“Mypowercolor.”ShesmilesandholdsWilla’sgaze.“Notallofuscanrockneutralsthewayyoudo.” Willasoftens Sheunderstandspower,andsherespondstoflattery EveryonerespondstoLexi’sflattery Outside the frosted glass walls ofthe conference room, the office buzzes around us. Frominhere, it’s all silhouettes and murmursofconversation.ArepeoplerunningnumbersonMeetCute?Talkingtocompetitors?Preparingtolowballus?
Deep breath Utmost confidence.I’mnotheretoconsideranyoneelse’smotivations.I’mheretofinalizethisdeal.“It’snice toseeyouagain,Ms.Wilder.”
“MeetCuteisexactlywhatweneedinthedatingappspace.You’rebringingfemininefunintothemarket.Andevenbetter, you’re bringing inclusive femme fun,” Willa says “Pink and flowers and champagne and the ability to find someone who appreciatestherealyou,theyouwholovesromanticcomediesandicecream.” “Exactly,”Isay “Thealgomatchesuserswhotrulyrelatetoeachother” “It’sgenius,”shesays.“I’veplayedaroundwithitmyselfandIlovethesetup.”Withthepressofasinglebutton,shepulls upourslidedeckonthegiantTVbehindher
ThehomescreenoftheappisapictureofLexiandme,smiling,withalotofpinktext. I’mnotsure whyshe’s pitchingus the app, butIknow it’s a bad sign. People onlytalkyouup ifthey’re tryingto letyou downeasy
Still,Inodassheflipstothesampleprofile.Oursystemisdifferent.Insteadofapicture,usersgetananswertoaquestion. Theycanseethreeanswerstothreequestionsbeforetheyswipeleftorright yesorno Theyonlygetapictureaftertheinitialmatch.Afterthey’reinvestedintheirpotentialpartner’spersonality. What do you like to do on a Saturday night? theslidereads,followedbytheanswer: I know a lot of people say they’re down for anything, but I mean it. Amovie at home, a football game, a night of dancing to candy pop. As long as we ’ re laughing together, I’m happy.
That’sfromLexi’sprofile.Shehadthemostpopularanswer,statistically.Logicagrees:Lexiisirresistible. “There’sonlyoneproblem,”Willasays. Alloftheairleavestheroomatonce Ofcourse,there’saproblem.There’salwaysaproblem. “Twoproblems,actually,”Willasays Oh God. Iswallowhard.
Willanoticesmydisbelief “I’msold,Deanna Ipromise ButIhavetobringmypartnersomethingreallyconvincing And that’s a bigask. He’s freshlydivorced. Atotal non-believer inlove. So, unless we see financial returns, we need a poster couple.Bynextmonth.”
Postercouple Okay What if “Twopeople.Anygender,anyrace,aslongasthey’rehappylong-term,”shesays.“Twenty-fivetofifty.Andattractive.A youngercoupleandanoldercouplewouldbeideal,butI’msurewe’llhavetimeforthatlater” Later.Right.
“Istherearing?”Willaasks “Itwouldbegreatifthere’saring” Mystomachdrops.Allthewaytotheearth’score.Our in willbeanout,fast,ifWillapusheshertoofar. “Aring?”Lexigoespale “No,we,I,uh ” “Evenbetter,” Willa says. “He canpropose at the dinner. We canplanfor dinner in, say, a month? To give himtime to preparetheperfectproposal.”Shelaughssoftly,butit’snotclearifshe’sjoking,andshedoesn’tgiveustimetolaughwithher. “I’dlovetomeethimfirst,though,assoonaspossible.Beforewehavethedinner toconvincemypartner.WhencanImeet Mr.Right?”
Even when we turn onto the hill of Huntington Hills, she says nothing She stares at the radio as it spins competing narratives:balladsprofessingthebeautyoflovebetweengirlpoweranthemsandodestothealmightydollar.
Weparkrightas“SheWorksHardfortheMoney”finishes,asiftheuniverseistryingtotellLexitoputfinancesfirst Or maybe that’s me. Love songs never move me. Theydwell incliches or lackspecificity. Moneysongs, too, butatleast moneymakessense.
ButLexiisn’tanyofthosethings Andeventhoughshe’sabitsuperficialattimes,she’snotmovedbythedigitsinherbank account. Our bank account. Lexi wanted to work on MeetCute with me because she wanted to work with me, because I promisedherthatwecouldmakeitintosomethinggreat
For a decade and a half, that’s whatI’ve done Ihave to do itnow, too Ihave to make sure mysister gets the bestdeal possible,createsthebestlifepossible,findsthebestpartnerpossible.
She rolls her eyes “Because after we sign,I’msure they’ll forgetall abouttheir questfor a poster couple It’ll be totally coolfortheirprideandjoytobreakup.”
“Therewassexunderawaterfall Whowouldn’tsmile?Butit’sahoneymoonthatwillneveractuallyhappen OratleastI thought.”Shethrowsupherarmsasiftosay this is impossible andcrossesthesidewalk.Thenit’supthewindingpathtothe house
IfollowLexiupthepath.Eventhoughshe’swearingstilettosandI’mwearingheeledboots,shebeatsmeinside. I rushafter her Find her onthe plushcreamcouch, arms crossed, like anadult versionof the Lexi who threw tantrums becauseshedidn’thavetherightoutfitforherBarbie.
Shedoesn’thavetostaywithhimforever,though Justforafewmonths Forlongenoughthateveryonecanagreetheyhada greatrelationship, and MeetCute made it happen. Isitnexttoheronthecouch “Youlovehiseyes” “Ido.”Sherestsherheadagainstthewallandstaresatthehighceiling. “Andhe wears thatsuit.”Theoneinthefirstpicturesheeversawofhim. Shenods he does. “Doyourememberwhatyousaidabouthistie?”
Shesmilesassherecallsthebawdytalk I’d like to wrap that thing around his wrists and ride his face Do you think he’d appreciate that? “That’strue.” “Didyoudoit?”Iask
Orshedid,beforeJake.Butshe’sbeenwithhimforalmostsixmonths.Shemustwantsomethingelsebesidessexwithhim, too Evenifshecan’tseeit
“Didhegiveyouareasonforwaiting?”Iask.
“He said he rushed into things withhis ex Theydidn’t get to know eachother because theywere always screwinglike rabbits.”Sheletsoutawistfulsigh.“Thatcouldhavebeenme.Icouldbescrewinghimlikearabbit.” “Youstillcould.”
“Ican’tsleepwithhimnow,”shesays. “Why?”
Sheshootsmealook,like get real “He’sobviouslyexpectingsomethingIcan’tgivehim” IsthereanythingLexican’tdeliverhere?“Suchas?” “Hewantstomakelove”
Since when? She hasn’tsaid anything. No, she’s justscared and overwhelmed and Ican’tblame her. All ofthis pressure fromWilla, fromthe app, fromme, to make it workwithJake. More pressure is the last thingshe needs. “Just talkto him tonight,andseewhathedoes,”Isay.“Tellhimaboutwhatyouneed.That’sallI’masking.”
“It’sbettertospareeveryonethepainofahardconversation.”Lexishakesherheadasiftosaywhy would I want to tell the
guy he’s making me wait too long? HardconversationsarerightuptherewithcommitmentonthelistofthingsLexidoesnot wanttodo.
For a moment, Ijuststare. Take himin. Process all the changes. His muscular physique, his confidentmanner, his lackof glasses,his Isthatatattoo? Damn He’slikeClarkKentinhisSupermancostume StillRiver,justdifferent Better?Maybe Thewayamanlookshasneverbeenthemostimportantthingtome.Hecouldbeahotassholenow,forallIknow.He’sbeen livinginNewYork Thatcanchangeaperson,andclearlyhas,atleastontheoutside Butevenafteralltheseyears,healsoclearlystillwantsLexi.Thewayhe’slookingatheristoofamiliar,remindingmeof whenwewereallteenagers.
After a decade spentlivinginthe world’s greatestcity, New York, the Huntingtonhouse is bothsmaller and grander thanI rememberit.
Thesheersizedefiesmyimagination.
This placeis a castle, withapartments, a pool, and a rose garden. And it’s completelylackingthe historyand taste ofan actualcastle Or,say,abrownstoneontheUpperEastSide Afour-storyapartmentbuildingintheVillage Evencomparedto oneofthosenewbuildingsintheFinancialDistrict,theplacefeelstoonew.Onlyitalsofeelstoodated.
Ofcourse,atthetime,Isaid, Why would I care about that, when I have you, andshelaughed River, you ’ re such a hopeless romantic.Shemusthaveknownthenitwasn’tgoingtolast.Sheknew wewerefundamentallyincompatible.Ididn’tseeit.I sawtoomuchofherlight
“ButI’ve seenyouaround, haven’tI? Youseemfamiliar…” She tilts her head to one side, tryingto place me. Whenshe doesn’t,shestandsupandslipsherfeetintoherpinkwedges.“Doyouwanttocomein?Haveadrink?”
AsifIwouldturndownadrinkwithLexiHuntington “Sure”
“What’syourpoison?”Shesmilesandmovestowardthehouse,happytohaveatask,afriend,achancewithhersoulmate, too
“Youworkwithhim?”Shestudiesmyoutfitagain,likelytryingtofigureoutwhyaguywhoworksforherdad’scompany theonethatownshalfthecommercialpropertyinthethreesurroundingcitiesandmakessureeverystripmallwallisexactly the rightshade ofbeige, and everylease goes to exactlythe right-for-the-cityclient would rockjeans and a T-shirtand a visibletattoo.“He’soutrightnow,buthe’llbeheretonightfortheparty.” Party? Tonight? “Whatareyoucelebrating?”
Sheplayswithhersunglasses.“You’renotheretohelpsetup?”shesaysinsteadofanswering. “No” Ifollowherstepstowardthehouse. Everythingfeelsstrange Thegrassisgreen,theskyisblue,andLexiHuntingtonisintoxicating. It’sfamiliarandforeignatonce. Lexiturnsasthepatiodoorslidesopen. Idon’tmeantostareatherass,butIcan’thelpmyself.MyfeelingsforLexiarepure.Well…theystartedpure. ThenDeannastepsintothebackyard Holy shit That’sDeanna Lexisighs,atiredsigh.Likesheknowsexactlywhyhersisterishereanditisn’tgood. She looks like the Deanna Iknow,withthe same blackboots andwine-stainedlips,butshe looks different,too Older,of course.Mature.She’srockingamagentasuitandasharpbob,andlookingmore adult,too. Iseethatsideofher.
“Howwasyourflight?”Deannashiftsherweightfromonefoottotheother,clearlyuncomfortableinherheeledboots.But thatisn’twhatcatchesmyattention,really It’sthewayherhandsarefidgeting Asignofweakness. The firstsignofweakness I’ve ever seeninher. Ever. The Deanna Iknew was always toughand in control,asifnothingintheworldcouldpenetrateherdefenses “Bumpy,”Isay.
“Didyoumissthesun?”sheaskswithasmirk.
Inod She means Lexi She musthave looked atthe birthdaycard Imade “And the warmth Thoughit’s a bitchillyhere today,”Isay,givingherapointedlook,“withthecloudsoverhead.”
Only she’s wearing more than a little now She’s covering the dark circles and adding color to her face I see it in the differenceinherpallor.It’snotjustthesun.It’sherhealth.
“She was an adult,” I remind her So much for keeping the mood light I blame jet lag And the sudden loss of Lexi’s attention.Ifeeldullwithoutit.Cold.Tired.EvenDeanna’spresencewasenergizing,ifI’mbeinghonest.
Therearetoomanydifficultconversationswaitinghere And,somehow,there’salsonothingtosay MomwentMIA along timeago.Caseclosed.
WhenIwasakid,shekeptthementionsofthesubjectvague Your grandma writes books about relationships for adults Then,whenIturnedthirteen,sheexplainedittome alongwithgivingme“thetalk.” IalreadyknewalotfromFernandNorth,butIstillwasn’treadyforGrandmatohandmeabananaandacondomandsay you ’ re old enough, you need to know how to use these. SheaskedmetocometoherifIeverhadquestionsorconcerns.SheaskedaboutwhoIwasdating,iftherelationshipwas physical,whatIwanted
Some people would find it intrusive or strange. And I suppose it is a little strange, compared to the average American family,butit’snormal,too We’reopenaboutsex.
Wedon’tshareluriddetails,butwedon’tshirkthesubject,either Peoplehaveneeds Theyfillthoseneeds Nothingwrong withthat, as longas everyone is safe and onthe same page. Sure, casual sexisn’tmything. Iwantanintimate experience. Somethingclosertomakinglove.
ButIdon’tjudgepeoplewhoseetheactanotherway “You’rethinkingaboutsex,”shesays. Iresisttheurgetorollmyeyes “Youthinkeveryoneisalwaysthinkingaboutsex” “Yes,” she agrees. “Because theyusuallyare.Ifnotsex, thenwhat’s onyour mind? You’ve gota certainlook Oh.” She dartsaquickglanceinthedirectionofthehousenextdoor.“You’rethinkingaboutLexi.” “Iwasn’t.”Atleastnotrightatthatmoment.“Butnowthatyoumentionit,yeah,Italkedtoherearlier.Sheinvitedmetoher partytonight.”
She carefullypours the tea into two mugs, and Idecide to keep mymouthshut. There’s nothingmore to say we silently agreetodisagree.Grandmaknowsshecan’tchangemyfeelingsforLexijustbecauseshe’swithsomeoneelse.EvenIcan’tdo that Soshe’lljusthavetotrustmeonthisone I’mnotacheater NeitherisLexi ButIam goingtothepartytonight.AndIam goingtotalktoLexi,alone. AtherSweetSixteen,allIwantedwastotalktoher TotellherhowIfeel I’mnotgoingtoblowthisopportunitynowthat I’vegotasecondchancetodoit.
Thankfully,Jakearrivesearly.Asusual,heandLeximakeaperfectOrangeCountycouple.Theflawlessblondeinpinkandthe handsome,tall,dressed-to-kill,butcasuallyofcourse,Vietnamesemaninasuit.TheyevenhavematchingCaliforniaaccents. (In college, I made great efforts to rid my vocabulary of the word “dude.” Lexi went the other way, leaned into her aural resemblancetonotedOrangeCountygirlGwenStefani).
“Mr Le Jake”Dadoffershishandwithhisusualnot-at-all-coolformality “Lovelytoseeyouagain” “You,too,Mr.Huntington.”Jakeshakeswiththefirmconfidenceofamanwhoworksincorporatelaw.Thenhesmilesand hischarismashiftstosomethingequalpartsprofessionalanddorky.
“Willyoubeattendingtheeventthisevening?”Dadasks Lexi practically runs downstairs. “Daddy.” She says it in that Lexi way, like she’s a teenager and he’s making her look uncool “Wedon’thavefirmplansforthenight”
“We don’t?” Jake shoots her a curious look,buthe catches ontoLexi’s wavelengthquickly.Ihope Lexi notices that.It’s a signtheyarehighlycompatible “Ofcourse,”hesays “There’satheaterplayingAlien inSantaAna Lexi’sbeenbeggingmeto go.”
Lexinods that does sound fun.
Dad laughs “Youknow, thatsortofthingused to worryme Two and a halfhours inthe dark Who knows whatyoukids couldgetupto.”
Ittakes Jake a second to catchonto the implication Making out in a movie theater, the horror He nods withhis usual deferencetoDad.
Mysisterissafe.Herrelationshipissafe.Andourapp…Well,that’ssafe,too. Ienjoythe victorywitha blissful forty-five minutes ofwork. We’re always improvingthe algo, and our latestupdate, an attemptto tagpeople’s favorite TVshows and use itto improve their match, is struggling. The tags we pulled fromvarious websitesaren’tworking,soweneedtohiresomeonetotagthemmanuallyorfindawaytotagthemwithmachinelearning. Machinelearningisalwaysmypreference Machineslackhumanfrailties Butthentheydon’tunderstandthestrangenessof humanemotions,either.AndTVisanemotionaltopic.
I tryfeedingthe AI two dozenof the most popular shows and I leave it running Intheory, it will go throughour users’ profilestonightandlearnhowtotagproperly.Orfailtolearn.Butitwilleitherworkoritwon’t.
It’s the usual mix of Dad’s friends and colleagues. People in their forties, fifties, and sixties in suits or the California equivalent(slacksandbutton-upshirtsorcocktaildresses).Plusafewtoken“kidsourage”inslightlymorecasualwear.Not thatIrecognizeanyofthem Well,maybetheguyinthedesignerjeansnexttothewomanintheReformationdress No,Idorecognizeher.Sheownsthefashionstart-uppoisedtoreplaceReformation.Evenmoresustainableandevenmore ofa cool babe aura
“Dee. Kitchen. Now. This is a Cary Grant situation.” She doesn’t wait for my yes. She doesn’t have to. A Cary Grant situation is a code we both know well It means boyfriend troubles Well, boy troubles Man troubles Since the boys in questionarerarelyboyfriends.
ButLexidoeshaveaboyfriendthistime
It’s only been an hour and a half since Jake arrived. Lexi is supposed to be in the apartment, having her way with her boyfriend.
AHumphreyBogartsituation(codeforDadtroubles)maybe OranAudreyHepburn(girltroubles) KatherineHepburneven (it used to mean Momtroubles, but now it means any older woman). There’s a whole systemof troubles coded with Old Hollywoodcelebrities.
“Exactlythe same page.” She sets the vodka onthe counter. Thencranberryjuice. Limes. “Do we have Cointreau?” She scanstheshelvesagain.“Thisiscloseenough.”
“WhydidJakeleave?Didyoubreakup?”Ibitemytongue,soIdon’tadd you ’ re supposed to be our poster couple “No.”
Thankgod
“We’reonabreak,”sheclarifies. “Awhat?”
“Hetotallyagreeswithme”
Thatseemshighlyunlikely.“Agreeswithwhat?” “We’retooyoungtosettledown Weshouldseewhatelseisoutthere Seeifit’sreal” Itake a deepbreathand letouta slow exhale. Ineed to think.Ineed to saythe rightthing,as a supportive sister, and the smartthing,astheco-ownerofMeetCute Willaissupposedtobeheretonight.She’sexpectingtomeetJake. Think. Lexicontinues,“We’retakingtwoweekstospendtimeonourown.Seeotherpeople.Thenwe’llcomebacktogether.Seeif themagicisthere”
There’sacertainlogicthere,yes.IfJakereallyisokaywithhersleepingwithotherpeople,thenIdon’tseetheharm.Notto theirrelationship But “Willaiscomingtonight” “SoI’lltellherhegotsick.”
There’slogicthere,too That’snottheproblem It’smorethat Sex is how Lexi copes. She runs away fromany intense feeling to the warmembrace of another body. And this fear of commitment?That’sabig,intensefeeling
It’sanotherifshesoothesherselfwithalittlecasualsexandreturnstoherpre-Jakedatingpattern:love’emandleave’em. How do Ihelp her withthis? How do Ikeep her onthe rightpath? Lexi does care aboutJake She wouldn’twanthimto leaveher.
Yes, he is a 99 percent match, but Lexi had a lot of high matches. And the algo is assuming people want a serious relationship Itcan’tcontroltheirself-sabotage “He’sthemostcompatibleguywithinfiftymiles,yes”
She looks ather dress, now stained a darker shade ofpinkinunusual splotches. “Shit. Ibetter change. ButI’msupposed to ”Shelookstothehousenextdooragain “MeetRiver?”
“Iknowyoudon’tapprove,”shesays “No.” Icross myfingers behind myback. “You’re right. Youshould see whatelse is outthere. So thatyouknow for sure Jakeisit.”
“Ishould?”
“Yeah.Youchange.I,uh…”
“You’ll stall him,” she finishes my sentence “Are you sure? I don’t want you to do something that makes you uncomfortable.”
“Hey. Whenwe were teens, Italked to himmore thanyoudid.” Thatwasn’thard to do, since she had zero conversations withhim,butIkeepthattomyself.“Thiswon’tevenpinghisradar,Ipromise.Justtwooldfriendscatchingup.”Okay,friends mightbestretchingit
