"Well, why don't you plan a vacation for the coming year? You can totally crash on my couch if it helps with costs."

Rachel laughed knowingly. "Yeah. I felt like that a lot when I was working in DC, and had to go to fundraisers. I never knew anyone, and always got stuck making uncomfortable small talk with people I didn't know. I hated it. I always wished I could run out, but you never can with those."