Page 94 of The Matchmaker

“I can’t access Darcy’s location.” Borzu’s typing on his phone. “You need to stay put. We have to figure out what the hell is going on.”

“I have Fiona. I’m safe. Change the locks to the agency. ASAP. We need to secure this place until we can talk to Darcy and give her a chance to explain.” My voice breaks. “There has to be a way for this to make sense.”

Before he can reply, I’m out.

I get in my car and turn on the engine. My phone buzzes. It’s a text from Nina.

Sorry again for ruining the Charmander surprise. Just so you know, she’s already stationed by the window waiting for you. Prepare to be ambushed!

The stuffed toy. I cringe—I forgot it at my house. I check the time. I can still rush home and grab it and make it to Khala’s with a few minutes to spare.

I lower my car window. “Change of plans,” I tell Fiona, whois pulled up in her car next to me. “I’m going to go home to grab a quick thing, but it should only delay us a minute.”

“I’ll be right behind you, but are you sure you’re good to drive?” Fiona asks worriedly. “I can take you home. You can get your car later.”

“I’m fine,” I tell her.

Even though I’m not fine at all.

I’ll probably never be fine again.

Twenty-eight

I hurry home and shove the door closed behind me. With trembling hands, I clasp and latch the dead bolts.

I know Fiona is outside. I know I’m safe.

But nothing feels safe. Least of all the thoughts running on a loop in my mind. I catch a glimpse of myself in the foyer mirror. My cheeks are blotchy, my eyes bloodshot.

Leaning against the wall, I let out a ragged breath. I press my palms together to steady myself, but within the safety of my home, Gertie circling my legs, the numbness from today’s revelation is wearing off. A sob escapes. The reality of my situation presses down like bricks.

I need to grab the stuffed toy for Lilah. I need to get going. I have to help Nina. She’s counting on me, and I don’t want to let my cousin down…. But who am I kidding? I can’t be a good caretaker for anyone in this condition. I want to unsee everything from the office, but Darcy’s signature flashes through my mind on repeat. Tears prick my eyes. The weight of this betrayal is threatening to crush me.

I’ve just picked up my burner to call Nina when I hear a creak against the wooden floor behind me.

Then a voice.

“Put down the phone, Nura.”

Twenty-nine

Darcy is in the back hallway by the kitchen. My hallway.

She’s wearing jeans. A dark hooded sweatshirt. Her hair is pulled into a bun. Stray strands frame her face. She’s not wearing any makeup. Her face is ghostly pale. I scarcely recognize her.

“You know,” she says softly. “Don’t you?”

“Darcy…I—I’m sure there’s been some kind of misunderstanding here.”

She looks at the front door. “Is Fiona out there? She is, isn’t she?” Before I can reply, she walks across the kitchen and snatches my phone out of my hands. She types something, hits send, and tucks the phone in her back pocket. Letting out a long exhale, she looks at me. Her eyes glisten. “I’m so sorry about this, Nura. I didn’t mean for any of it to happen. You have to believe that.”

“Of course,” I say quickly. “There’s got to be some kind of explanation.”

“I was almost in the clear. I swung by the office this morning, and when I saw Borzu through the window running around like a chicken with his head cut off, I justknew—” She breaks off. “Borzu had to go and ruin everything. It’s like I hurry andtie up one loose end, and another one pops up. It’s fine.” She wrings her hands. “It’ll be okay. I’ll deal with him later. One thing at a time. One thing at a time.”

“He misunderstood. He must have,” I say. “You and I have known each other for five years.”

“Sixyears. I guess you didn’t really notice me that first year, did you?” She smiles at me sadly. “I was just the barista filling your orders.”

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