Free The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkanen

group.
    Holy cow, what happened to her? Tina wondered, lifting up her sunglasses for a better look. Savannah’s hair appeared lighter, and it flowed down past her shoulder blades. She wore a wisp of an emerald-green, silky dress that showcased her toned, tan legs. She seemed taller, somehow—or maybe she’d just lost a few pounds in all the right places—and her skin glowed.
    “Girlfriends!” Savannah threw her arms around Tina and Allie. “Are we going to have an amazing time or what?”
    “Hey, gorgeous!” Allie said, hugging Savannah back. “How do you keep on getting prettier?”
    “Clearly she’s a witch,” Tina joked. But her laugh sounded forced, and she suddenly felt frumpy as she watched Savannah greet Gio and Ryan. Tina knew her own thighs were sausaged into her tight white capris, and her blue tunic wasn’t fooling anyone—it had clearly been chosen to camouflage her muffin top.
    “Okay, enough chitchat,” Savannah ordered, turning back to Tina and Allie as she held up a silver thermos. “Who wants a Sex on the Beach shooter? I didn’t bring cups, but it’ll be more fun to pass it around. Just like at the football games in college, right?”
    “Oh, I don’t know . . .” Tina began. She’d been up past midnight packing and organizing the house, and Jessica had woken her at three a.m. by climbing into her bed. She’d finally dozed off again, but Angela, their six-year-old, had fallen asleep too early, and was raring to go at a little after five-thirty. Tina was so tired she’d probably pass out if she had a shot. Plus she couldn’t stop thinking about the way little Sammy’s eyes had filled with tears as she’d said good-bye. He’d tried to be brave, but he was going to miss her so much . . .
    “I’ll take that as a hell, yes,” Savannah said, pressing the thermos into her hands. “Drink up.” Tina shrugged, unscrewed the top, and took a little sip. It tasted like summertime—fruity and sweet, with a strong kick of rum. Her mood instantly lifted. Suddenly she remembered how Sammy had been expertly distracted by Allie’s mom, who’d swooped in with promises of cookie making and new tins of Play-Doh.
    “That was totally wimpy. Unworthy of a UVa girl. More!” Savannah ordered, and Tina took another sip, a bigger one this time. The sky was a brilliant blue, the sun was shining, and she was about to go to Jamaica! Who cared if Savannah looked like a Victoria’s Secret model while she looked like an elementary school class’s room mother on a field trip to the zoo? Gio loved her, and even though they fought too often these days, and never had time to talk anymore, their sex life had always been good. Occasionally it was even great. She knew her husband was attracted to her, belly roll and all. Gio was Italian—he liked a little meat on his women.
    “Thanks, Van,” Tina said, surprised that Savannah had beenthe one to make her feel better. Usually Allie took on that role. Tina licked a drop of alcohol from her lips and passed the thermos to Ryan.
    “So where’s Gary?” Allie asked, craning her head to look back at the door Savannah had just emerged from.
    Tina couldn’t see Savannah’s eyes behind her oversize sunglasses, but her smile stayed bright. “Oh, the big jerk is working,” she said. “We’ll have more fun without him.”
    “Gary’s not coming?” Tina asked, feeling her eyebrows lift. She didn’t know if she’d be comfortable going away on a vacation with three other couples without Gio. No, scratch that, she definitely wouldn’t be comfortable. And yet Savannah acted as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
    There was an awkward silence, then Allie broke it. “Well, we’re glad you made it, anyway!”
    “I’m dying to get a look at this plane!” Savannah said. “Have any of you ever been on a private jet? We need to have a code for the bathroom in case you guys decide to join the mile-high club. Maybe a scarf around the handle means