“No room? Sleep in the lobby,” my mother-in-law said at the resort—until everything she planned fell apart.

As if scripted, Allison’s phone began to ring.

Evan.

She answered, already uncomfortable.

“Hey,” he said. “Mom told me about the trip.”

“Of course she did.”

“I know it’s sudden, but maybe it could be good. Just a few days. I’d feel better knowing you weren’t alone all week.”

Allison shut her eyes.

Evan sounded hopeful. Far too hopeful. He wanted this to work so badly because he could not recognize what his mother was really doing.

At last, Allison released a breath. “Fine. I’ll go.”

Vivian and Brooke embraced her as if they had just won a prize.