CHAPTER TEN
Tyler’s phone started buzzing at 6:47 AM.
Stella was already awake—had been since five, staring at the ceiling, rehearsing conversations that all ended badly. She heard the first buzz from the kitchen, then the second, then Tyler’s groan as he reached for it.
She padded out in her pajamas to find him squinting at the screen.
“Meg,” he said. “Quote: ‘Good luck today. We’re all thinking of you. Heart emoji, prayer hands emoji, four-leaf clover emoji.’ She’s very thorough.”
“That’s sweet.”
Another buzz. “Anna. Quote: ‘Did you call yet??? Call me after. Or during. I can be on standby.’”
“It’s not even seven.”
“Anna doesn’t believe in regular hours.” Another buzz. Tyler rubbed his eyes. “Margo. ‘Praying for youboth. Remember that love is patient. Except when it isn’t. Call me.’”
Stella’s phone buzzed on the counter. She picked it up.
Bea.
I’m awake. I have snacks. I’m emotionally prepared.
Stella typed back.
It’s 6:50 AM.
I’VE BEEN UP SINCE 5. The suspense is killing me.
“Your family is insane,” Stella said.
“Our family,” Tyler said.
Stella looked at him. “You’re right. Our family.”
Tyler’s phone buzzed again. He didn’t even look at it.
“You ready?” he asked.
“No.”
“Me neither.” He moved toward the stove. “Toast?”
“You’ll burn it.”
“I won’t burn it.”
He burned it.
The kitchen smelled like charcoal. Tyler scraped black crumbs into the sink while Stella watched, the tight knot in her stomach making food seem impossible anyway.
“I didn’t burn it,” Tyler said. “It’s just... extra toasted.”
Her phone sat on the counter between them, screen dark now. It was 7:12 AM. Which meant it was 12:12 AM tomorrow in Sydney.
“You don’t have to do this today,” Tyler said. “We could wait until?—”
“If I wait, I’ll keep waiting.” Stella picked up the phone. “Better to just... do it.”
