Page 58 of See You Next Tuesday

Anya considered the question. She wasn’t madly in love with Zeke, and she certainly didn’t know if he was the guy she’d end up marrying. But she really liked being his girlfriend. He was a steady presence in her life, joyful and calming. And she hated the thought of losing him—she was sure of that.

“He does,” she answered. “And you and Tallulah seem…”

“Good,” Gabe finished the sentence. “We’re really good.”

“I liked her a lot,” Anya offered.

“Thanks.” Gabe nodded. “I respect you too much to pretend I like Zeke.”

Anya burst out laughing. Gabe laughed too, but it quickly turned into a yawn. Anya glanced at her phone—it was almost three a.m.

“Do you want to go back to the hospital?” Anya asked. “I can come too, if you want.”

Gabe shook his head. “We should get a few hours of sleep.”

“Okay, but you’re not spending the night in some hotel.”

“It’s not a big deal—”

“It is to me,” Anya said sternly. “Come stay in Brentwood. Everyone will be really happy to see you. I’ll take you back to Cedars in the morning.”

“You drive a hard bargain,” Gabe said. She heard some emotion in his voice, but he swallowed it back. He stood up and so did she, and she pulled him into a tight hug. After a second, he wrapped his arms around her, and she settled her head against his chest. Physically, it was the closest they’d been since Vieques, but it didn’t feel fraught this time. Maybe it was just that she was so tired, but she kind of felt like they could have stayed like that all night.

“I’m glad you told me,” she said. “About your family, and about—about everything.”

“Me too,” he said softly.

“Can I ask you something?”

He looked at her cautiously. “Yeah?”

“Can we be friends? I just— I think I would really like it. If we were friends.”

“Friends,” he repeated. “That’s a good idea. We should try it.”

Chapter 11

The next two years

Wheeler for Senate—Frederick, Maryland

Kincaid for Senate—Lincoln, Nebraska

Text message transcript: Anya Katz and Gabe Hunt

November 3

Anya [10:04am]: Gooooood morning

Anya [10:04am]: How’s your head? Falling off your neck?

Anya [10:05am]: I’m meeting Kira and Simone at hash house a go go for one of those insane giant piles of breakfast if you’re awake/sober/not puking your guts out?

Gabe [10:09am]: Don’t be mean to me I’m dying

Anya [10:10am]: Worse than our birthday?

Gabe [10:10am]: m u c h