“It’s a new page, Hayden. And it’s okay to mourn the closing of this chapter.” Stella’s hand finds mine and our fingers intertwine. I hear Lucas walk out of the room, giving us some much-needed alone time and privacy.
I squeeze her hand as tears roll down my cheeks and off to the floor. “We had so much funhere, didn’t we?”
“The most fun.” She sighs, her nails drumming against the floor. “I miss New York, not going to lie.”
I prop myself up onto my elbow, taking my hand back. “Already? I thought marital bliss would prevent that from ever happening.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love Lucas more than anything and would always choose him, but I do miss the hustle and bustle and convenience of the big city. And how everyone ignored me for the most part. I can’t go anywhere back home in Dasher Valley without being stopped for an hour-long chat.”
“That must exhaust your introverted self,” I say.
“Yes and no. I do love people, but I also need some time to walk alone on the street without someone stopping me to ask how my mama is doing.” Stella sighs again. “But enough about me. I’m very lucky to be back with my family and friends, and of course, the love of my life. Let’s talk about you and how you’re coping. Because it’s not great, apparently.”
Family. Friends. Love of my life. The words ricochet from my heart to my brain, leaving bruises with each bounce. It’s not Stella’s fault. She doesn’t know everything about me, despite being my best friend. Some things are too embarrassing, too difficult to say aloud even to the person you trust and love the most.
“I’m just sad about leaving,” I say, attempting to hide the shakiness in my voice. “Like you said, it’s the end of an amazing chapter of my life.”
“No matter what,” Stella pats my thigh, “I’m always with you. A plane ride or phone call away.”
“I know,” I whisper. I bring myself to my feet, and she follows suit. “Let’s find out what I’m doing with all my things.”
We look around the bare room littered with packed boxes and other miscellaneous items strewn across the wooden floor.
“Do we bring this to Darcy’s, or…”
I swallow. “I don’t know. Which means I need to call him.”
“Oh, I’m excited to see y’all interacting as an engaged couple. Well, I guess you were technically on the phone with him when I got here, but still. I didn’t see or hear the entirety of it.” Stella waggles her eyebrows.
“Don’t get too excited. It’ll be more bickering as usual.” With a big breath of confidence, I whip out my phone, scroll to his contact—accurately labeled Killjoy—and press the call button.
As it rings, Stella hits my arm repeatedly and tells me in a hushed tone to put the phone on speaker.
Per usual Darcy etiquette, he answers at the last possible second. “This is Darcy Marshall.”
I know,my brain mocks him while using his stern, no-nonsense tone of voice.
“I have my things packed up, and I was wondering when I could bring them over?”
A pause.
“Oh, so you do need my help after all?” His voice is… teasing. That’s a teasing lilt, right?
I swallow, feeling embarrassed that Stella is hearing this. “Yeah, I guess I do.”
“I’ll send a vehicle over to help you move. It should be there in an hour.”
My heart thumps at the earnest tenderness in his voice, and I chastise it internally. “Thank you, Darcy.”
His voice lowers to a whisper. “You’re welcome, Hayden.” Then he clicks off.
My heart seethes. Why wasn’t he cold like usual? What’s wrong with him? How dare he treat me like this in front of my best friend? Like he actually cares or something. “See, nothing eventful. Same old Darcy.”
Stella laughs. “Yeah, right. That man was definitely teasing you and was kind to you. You’re already breaking through his walls. Oh, this is going to be so much fun to witness.”
“Why do you get so much pleasure from my misery?” I mumble.
“Because I truly don’t think you’ll be miserable for long. That’s how these marriages of convenience go in romance books, at least.”
