Page 56 of Something like Desire

“Now we’re at number one,” I say. “‘For Mark and me to have as close to a perfect day as possible.’ How are we feeling about that one?”

Gia sighs loudly. “I wouldn’t say it was anywhere close to perfect. I started the chaos, and it just kept rolling from there.”

“Mark?” I call.

Mark enters the room carrying a recycling bin nearly overflowing with boxes and bridal magazines. He spots Gia wriggling around on the floor and looks at her like she’s the most endearing creature he’s laid eyes on. “Yes?”

“What word would you use to describe the wedding?”

“It was a great evening. I loved it,” he says, eyes wide and sincere. “Gia’s a lively person who doesn’t like to carry negative feelings. She faces them head-on, and it wouldn’t have been true to her character if it went any other way.”

I give Gia a conspiratorial look. Of course Mark would answer that way.

“Would you say, perhaps, it was as perfect as it could have been?”

Mark tilts his head for a moment, as if weighing his words carefully. “Yes,” he finally says. “Yes, it was.” He sets the recycling bin down, crouches on all fours, and lumbers toward Gia like a dog until his face is just inches from hers. Then he plants a sweet kiss on her lips.

“Don’t I taste like barf?” Gia asks.

“More like honey,” Mark replies. “Love you.” He wraps her in his arms and cuddles her for a few minutes before standing and taking the bin out of the room.

“See?” I say. “Mark thinks it was as perfect as it could be. No bad feelings. What do we think? Check mark?”

Gia nods. “Let me see that thing.”

I hand it back to her, and she adds the final checkmark.

“I’m going to put this back on the fridge,” I say. “Your badge of honor. You completed your wedding missions. Should we make a honeymoon checklist next?”

Gia’s eyes widen and she gives me a cheeky grin. “With what kind of stuff on it? Sex moves?”

“Sex moves could be some of the items. Have you guys ever tried the pretzel before?”

“Thepretzel?” Gia repeats, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Are you watching porn now that you’re single?”

“Nope. Mom taught me about it.”

“Oh my god, eww!” Gia groans, but we both break out laughing and it doesn’t subside for several minutes. After a long moment of silence, I take a deep breath and ask the question that’s been on the tip of my tongue the entire time.

“So, what do you think about the fact that we have another sister now?” I make the mind-blown sign with my hands. I mean, how many people discover they have a secret sibling when they’re in their thirties?

“I’m never going to be as close to Claire as I am to you,” Gia says firmly. “Never.”

“Well, we’re just meeting her now. Despite the blood relation, she’s a stranger to us. We know nothing about her. Maybe we’ll have a relationship, but that’s going to take a lot of time.”

“Yeah,” Gia agrees. “I just hope we don’t feel too much pressure to go from zero to a hundred with her.”

“We just have to communicate our feelings and set boundaries.” Saying this reminds me of my own list. A list that includes a heart-to-heart with Gia. I pull it up on my phone and type an addition, number eight. “Hey, I want to show you something. I was inspired by your list and made one of my own.”

Lexi’s Nonnegotiable Checklist

Stay broken up with Jayden because that finally felt like the right choice to make.

Do NOT get into another relationship until you’re really sure that you’re strong in yourself and that it’s what you really want.

Rediscover all your favorites and redecorate, if necessary.

Instead of talking about quitting your job and finding something else, actually do it. Find a way to make that happen.