Serendipity

Chapter 6

All afternoon, Liz felt guilty for snapping at Maggie. She hadn’t even wanted to follow Maggie down the beach, chasing after her like she was some damsel in distress from a storybook, Liz the requisite rescuer, but Cam and PJ had looked at Liz with such guilt-tripping eyes, she knew she had to be the person to make sure Maggie was okay.

Liz had overreacted. Again. Ugh, she groaned. It felt so high school. So immature. Nothing like the Liz in the years since their East Meadow graduation, the Liz who had worked at keeping her every emotion in check, even when she wanted to weep and scream and run away. At first it was to keep the negative away from her mom, in those early semesters at NYU. And then it was to process everything that came after. This past year, especially, when everything changed for good. By the time she turned twenty-four, Liz was practically professional at not burdening strangers with the truth. At preventing her own heart from breaking daily.

But she also had spent this past year painstakingly coming to terms with the family she had left. She would always defend them. She would always protect them, and if that meant snapping at Maggie Monroe, then so be it.

Liz didn’t know how to feel around Maggie anymore. Their friendship was buried under so much bitterness. So much silence. She felt like the past had slapped her in the face. A rushed reminder of the Before. Liz felt her blood racing again, so she took a deep breath in and looked down.

White: the onion dip she was violently mixing to transfer her frustration.

White: the Domus Academy logo shining bright at the top of the application invitation, the email that she’d been reading and rereading all day.

The Milan scholarship had so many requirements just to apply. A portfolio of a new collection, a sample of a design. Not to mention a personal statement about why she deserved this chance over the tens of thousands of other hopefuls.

She was desperate to talk to Cam about it. She knew she should. She just wasn’t quite ready for his opinion. Cam had always hated change, big or small. Moving to a new apartment took months of convincing, and he spent hours reading every review on any new product—from their in-window air-conditioning unit to a forty-three-dollar Mets short-sleeve button-down—until he officially added it to the digital shopping cart (where it would sit for a one-week “trial thought process” before actual purchase). If Cam thought the Domus program was a bad idea, or even suggested Liz defer it for a few years, well, it would break her. She wanted this chance, she wanted his support, but she had a bad feeling about what he’d say.

Because her mind was filled with worry, she nearly jumped when Cam tapped her on the shoulder.

“Babe? I think you’re going to break that bowl if you keep whisking at that pace.” Cam smiled, but his eyes hinted at his concern.

“Sorry, you startled me. I guess I was in the zone,” she said with a forced laugh, hoping to clear the expression on her face. She picked up the onion dip and delivered it to the living room coffee table, which already boasted a large helping of buffalo chicken dip and a platter of cheese and crackers. Cam headed outside, but Liz plopped onto the couch, needing a minute to herself.

Shortly after her fight (Could she call it a fight? Strong words?) with Maggie, the group had staggered back from the beach to change and get ready for the night. As soon as enough towels were located (the stash was kept under the sink, Mac remembered after eight minutes of searching), a shower schedule was created: Quinn called dibs on the outdoor one, whereas Robyn said she’d only ever shower inside—“One word: bugs.” Georgie sheepishly admitted he’d forgotten to pack a toothbrush, but luckily Brenna never traveled without a brand-new spare.

PJ was the first one ready, so he heated up the grill and flipped hamburger patties and hot dogs. He had worked in his family’s restaurant growing up, so he felt most comfortable in the role of Serendipity chef. The smell from the grill worked its way through the house and soon everyone transformed into evening clothes, adorned with wet hair and pink noses daring toward a burn. Liz had combed through her own red hair, detangler aiding her fingers as she tied her locks into careful braids.

Anything to keep her mind off not only Maggie, but even more critically, her own phone.

The group text thread with Cam and his mom had been pinging ever since his mother, Roseanne, sent a message with a “spectacular, lightbulb of an idea” earlier that afternoon.

Roseanne Peters:Hi lovebugs! Sorry to bother you when you are surely out soaking up the sun! Just had a spectacular, lightbulb of an idea I wanted to share. Two words: Engagement Party. Saturday, August 12th? When Grandma Peach is up from Florida? She’d love to celebrate you two with the whole extended family. You can invite as many friends as you’d like! Our treat, of course!

Cam had still been on the beach, so Liz had texted him on the side, in a private thread.

Liz:C, re: your mom’s text. Aug 12 is the same weekend we have the house in OB.

Cam:Crap, you’re right. I’ll tell her.

Cam:Also, miss you on the beach. All good at the house? Be back soon.

Liz hadn’t realized how much of their adult relationship would be spent covertly side-texting messages regarding different family group chats. Cam responded back on the larger chain:

Cam:Thanks, Mom! Love this idea. Only thing—August 12th is when we have the Ocean Beach rental with our East Meadow friends…

Liz:Such a fun idea though!

Roseanne Peters:Hmmm. Maybe this is silly. And feel free to say no. But what if we hosted it in Ocean Beach? Georgie’s parents had an anniversary party at Maguire’s a few summers ago and it was just GORGEOUS. All your friends can come, too! Think about it and let me know?!

Roseanne Peters:Just called Maguire’s and they’re available for a party but we’d have to let them know ASAP Rocky!

Roseanne Peters:Just ASAP Rocky. Not sure what ASAP Rocky is.

Roseanne Peters:ASAP Rocky

Roseanne Peters:ASAP Rocky!!!!!

Roseanne Peters:Grr! I give up!

Roseanne Peters:Think about it and let me know! Soon, please! Xo

Roseanne Peters:*every wedding emoji under the sun*

Liz had groaned and closed out of her Messages app. So much could be different by August 12. According to the Domus Academy invitation, the rolling admissions began mid-July. She’d most likely know her application status shortly after. By the time August rolled around, would Liz be celebrating an acceptance? Would Cam be supportive? If she spent the next year abroad, when would they even get married? Would they need to postpone the engagement? And then what good would a party do?

“Liz, are you okay? Your face is, like, not looking great,” Mac said, walking into the living room, startling her slightly.

“Are you calling me ugly?” Liz teased, but she could feel the tension of her frown loosen as she massaged her forehead. “I’m fine, just a headache. You good? Where’s Robyn?”

“She went out to explore the restaurant happy hours. I wanted to eat with the crew, but she doesn’t like burgers. Or hot dogs. Or onion dip. Even when it’s clearly been pulverized by you.” He laughed.

“Very funny. You could’ve gone with her. We’d have saved you some leftovers,” Liz said.

“It’s fine. Space sometimes counts as ‘balance’ in her books.” Mac grinned a bit devilishly. “Keeps things fun.”

“How’s your knee feeling?”

“Better. Took some Advil when we got back from the beach,” he said, but Liz could sense him eager to avoid the topic of his injury. “Awesome about the engagement party, by the way. I’ve always wanted to go to a big party on Fire Island. Robyn and I are already securing the perfect gift.”

If Liz had taken a bite of onion dip, she would’ve spit it out. “What did you say?”

“Robyn and I are getting you a gift? She has a connection to an oil painter who can do live portraits—”

“No, before that.”

“The engagement party? That my parents are throwing?”

Liz’s stomach flipped. “I need to talk to your brother.”

She sped outside to where Cam was playing cards with Quinn and Brenna. Georgie was sitting at the patio table, still glued to his work laptop, but at least this time he had a frozen margarita in his hand.

“Liz!” Georgie called out. “Can’t wait for the party!” His margarita glass was now raised as if in a toast. “My parents gave Mrs. Peters all their catering contact info. It’s such a killer space. You’ll love it.”

Liz couldn’t believe her ears. She looked at her fiancé.

“Cam? Did you tell your mom we were in for the engagement party?”

“Yes, shoot, sorry, I wanted to tell you—she called me when I was walking back from the beach,” Cam said. “The restaurant apparently got another offer for the same date, so we had to commit right then if we wanted to book. Which we did, right? She’s really excited.”

“So, this is you telling me?”

“Yes?” Cam’s face was sheepish.

“And not asking if it’s something I want to do?”

“You said it was a fun idea!”

“I was just being polite!”

“Well, I didn’t know that—”

“So, you just unilaterally made a decision with your mom about something that affects us both? I’m the one you’re engaged to!”

“I know!”

“You really should have talked to me first.”

“Liz, it’s not that big of a deal. We’ll be in Ocean Beach already. It’s just a party.”

“Party!” Georgie cut in with another cheers. “Yeah!”

“My mom will plan the whole thing. We don’t have to do anything but show up,” Cam added.

“It’s not about the amount of work or having to do something—” Liz started.

“Then what’s the problem?” Cam pulled her aside, held her hand. He lowered his voice. “I’m sorry. I should have talked to you before agreeing. That was stupid. So stupid. I just got excited by how excited she was. I really want to celebrate us. To do something fun. I’m so sorry.”

He pulled her into him and Liz let her head rest against his shoulder. What good would it do to stay mad? “I know,” she said.

Did she really want to ruin the whole evening by clinging to her anger?

“I’m sorry about the party. Really,” Cam whispered. “It won’t happen again. I’m just too damn excited to celebrate my bride.” He kissed the top of her head, and despite it all, she melted.

“Okay,” Liz relented. “Party it is.”

“I promise it’ll be amazing.” Cam smiled his most convincing smile, which always made her smile back.

“Next round of burgers coming up!” PJ called out from the grill.

“Want to eat, babe?” Cam asked Liz, squeezing each individual finger on her left hand, stopping only to thumb over her engagement ring. She nodded in reply.

As Cam and Liz approached the grill, they saw Maggie standing next to PJ, receiving a hot dog on a paper plate. “Did you guys say you’re having an engagement party?” she asked, timidly.

“Apparently.” Liz frowned, her earlier annoyance toward Maggie bubbling back to the surface.

“Well, if you guys need any help with planning, let me know. I can even film some of it if you’d like. I can bring my camera,” Maggie offered. “I did videography at a few weddings during college, to make some extra cash. Obviously I wouldn’t charge you guys, though.”

Liz paused while Maggie rambled. She wasn’t sure why Maggie was extending an olive branch so soon. The Maggie in her memory would have never made the first move to apologize. But she didn’t feel ready to take it just yet. In fact, Maggie’s face was starting to make her feel nervous. Anxious with reminders of the many things Liz preferred to keep closed off in her mind, shut away with everything else that had since been buried.

Cam, on the other hand, had no hesitation. He was back to the warm, bubbly, life-of-the-party Cam. The Cam she’d fallen in love with. Always putting everyone else at ease, the Peters twins’ best party trick. “That would be awesome. Thank you,” he said. “Such a genius idea. There will be dancing, and hopefully some of those cheesy engagement party games, too. And my grandma will be there. Video footage of everything would be great, thank you.”

Maggie’s face lit up. “You got it. No problem. My pleasure.”

Liz wasn’t convinced. What was Maggie’s endgame? Get close to Cam, to Liz, and then sneak back in to break Mac’s heart? Once again leaving Cam (and consequently Liz) to pick up his brother’s broken pieces? Heartbreak management didn’t fit into Liz’s strained bandwidth.

Maybe Maggie was just genuinely hungry for friendship? Maybe she really was as lost and lonely as her eyes seemed to cry?

Or was Liz maybe turning toward paranoia as a way of coping with her anxiety and her sadness and, let’s face it, her trust issues? Maybe she was just looking for a person to blame. She could hear the words of her therapist coursing through her brain. She took a deep breath and looked around.

Red: the plastic cup Cam just handed her, filled with vodka and soda.

Red: the lipstick her mom always wore to parties and nights out, to special occasions where dresses were long and fancy. Where makeup was a mandate, not an afternoon playtime routine. Now: the lipstick sat in Liz’s nightstand drawer back home, one full year spent unopened.

She turned around and saw Maggie’s cheeks reddening, too, brightening with shock as the backyard fence’s gate swung open with a creak.

Robyn stepped in, perched tall on strappy high heels with black leather shorts, despite Ocean Beach’s near-universal uniform of flip-flops and denim. Her face was dolled up, bright lipstick coating her slightly tipsy smile.

“Macky!” she purred. “Let’s go. It’s time to hit the town.”