Molly doesn’t have time to react before Liz is in front of her. She’s wearing a black sundress and a panama hat, a Mansur Gavriel bucket bag slung over her shoulder.
“Hey, Molls.” Liz smiles cautiously, and regardless of what has happened between them, it’s so good to see her old friend that Molly can’t contain the smile spreading across her face, can’t help but pull her in for a long, fierce hug.
Then Nina and Everly join in, and the four women are pouncing on one another, and for a fleeting moment Molly is overcome with a heavy mix of nostalgia and déjà vu. They are back in college at a keg party, on the precipice of getting drunk. Then they’re in Nina’s apartment in Williamsburg, listening to Vampire Weekend and drinking wine and talking about a future that isn’t close enough to really matter.
“It’s so, so good to see you guys, you have no idea,” Molly says when they finally break apart. “And you two!” She moves past her friends to hug Michael, then Sage. “You’re a true hero for bringing that pi?ata,” she tells Michael. “The only thing my daughter might possibly love more than Frozen is sugar.”
Michael laughs. “I have a four-year-old niece. I’m well aware of the Frozen phenomenon.”
“As you can see, you’re now in Frozen land.” Molly gestures to the setup around them. Dozens of blue, white, and silver balloons are secured all around the fence, Pin the Nose on Olaf is set up against the side of the pool house, and several children already swarm the Frozen-inspired cookie decorating station. Becky has even secured a pair of felt antlers to Bodie, turning him into Sven for the afternoon. “The theme is ‘Frozen in August.’ Hunter thought that was cute.”
“I’m impressed, Molly,” Sage observes, glancing around.
“Oh my god!” Nina exclaims, staring across the pool. “Look at our girl.” She’s watching Stella, who is dressed in a glittery blue ball gown and cape, her pale blond hair pulled back into a single braid. “Where did that perfect little Elsa costume come from?”
“Fifteen bucks at Party City.” Molly grins. “And I’m amazed you know who Elsa is.”
“No, Michael’s niece is actually obsessed. We spent a week with her on the Jersey Shore, and I had no choice but to learn the entire cast of characters.”
“Holy shit,” Liz gasps, her gaze fixed to the driveway. “Is that Jake Danner?”
In the chaos of everything that’s unfolded over the past few weeks—the embryo transfer, kissing Jake at Skipping Beach, the discovery of Lenore Smith, the positive pregnancy test, prepping for Stella’s birthday—Molly has nearly forgotten that she’d invited Jake and Sabrina to the party.
Everly’s jaw drops to the ground, followed by Nina’s. “Wait. You invited him?”
The brief window of time Molly has to explain is closing too quickly as Sabrina and Jake ascend the steps in their direction. Jake wears khaki shorts and a blue button-down that matches his eyes. Beside him, Sabrina looks irritatingly perfect in a white smocked maxi dress that flaunts her figure and tanned supermodel arms. A saccharine smile breaks across her face, revealing those straight, bleached teeth. She carries an oversized present wrapped in glossy white paper and a pink ribbon.
“Molly, you look stunning. As always.” Sabrina leans forward to peck Molly’s cheek, her voice oozing with an insincerity that perhaps only Molly can detect. “What a beautiful day. Here. A little something for the birthday girl.”
Molly accepts the gift, forcing a grin. “You’re so nice to come. These are my friends from New York, Everly, Nina, and Liz. And Ev’s wife, Sage, and Nina’s fiancé, Michael. All, this is Sabrina Danner. And you know her husband, Jake. Small world.”
Molly can feel Jake staring at her, and she wishes so badly that he’d stop doing that in public. They haven’t spoken since the beach, since Molly pulled away from the warmth of his body and leaped out of his car in a confused, guilt-ridden frenzy. She hasn’t replied to any of the texts he sent afterward.
Nina flashes a wide grin, her trademark enthusiasm working its magic. “Wow! Jake Danner, blast from the past.”
Liz’s smile drops. She points at Sabrina. “Wait. I know you.”
No one speaks. Sabrina’s face turns pale, her cheery disposition vanishing.
“Caroline … no … Katie. No. Caitlin!” Liz exclaims. “Caitlin, that’s it.” She emits a sound that’s more a scoff than a laugh. “You’re married to Jake now? You’ve got to be kidding me.”