Page 41 of Written in the Stars
Darcy swiped and lifted the phone to her ear. “Hey, Annie.”
A horn honked in the background, followed by muffled cursing. “Darce! How are things?”
She nudged the box of wine with her toe. Where to start? She hadn’t spoken to Annie since talking her ear off about the mess she’d gotten herself into, lying to Brendon. “Things are... complicated.”
“Complicated. Hmm,” Annie said. “That wouldn’t havesomething to do with a certain cute blonde? Tiny thing with huge eyes that she has just for you?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Another horn honked, meshing with the sound of Annie’s laughter. “Brendon posted pics from your date the other night. Elle is all googly-eyed over you in them and you’re just as bad. When you’re looking at her, she’s looking away. And vice versa. It’s cute.”
Darcy’s stomach lurched, pulse pirouetting. “It’s fake.”
“Sure.” Annie was probably rolling her eyes. “When’s the next time you’re going to see her?”
Darcy glanced at the box by her feet. “Seeing as I’m currently buying her a box of wine, I’d say soon.”
“Wait. Slow down. Back the fuck up.” Annie sighed. “Ich spreche mit meinem freund.”
“Are you speakingGerman?”
“I’m in Berlin. Business trip. Did I forget to mention that?” The better question was since when did Annie speak German. “Sorry. My cabdriver thought I was talking to him. You were saying?”
“It’s nothing. Brendon told me the deal with Oh My Stars was finalized this morning and then he asked if the two of us had plans to celebrate and I didn’t know what to say and Brendon looked at me like I had dropped the ball. Like I was, I don’t know, being a bad girlfriend. So I’m buying Elle a box of wine because it’s her favorite. You know. To congratulate her.”
Annie didn’t say anything for so long that Darcy glanced at the screen, checking if the call had been disconnected. “Huh. Okay. That’s. Hm.”
“That was a lot of noise for managing to saynothing.”
“I was emoting, you bitch. Read between the lines.”
“If you have something to say,say it.”
Annie laughed. “Is your brother going to be there when you gift Elle with thisbox of wine?”
“You sound like a snob, Annie.”
Like the drama queen she was, Annie gasped. “Said the pot to the kettle. Stop avoiding my questions.”
“No.” She leaned against the aisle endcap. “Brendon’s not going to be there. What’s your point?”
“Just interesting is all. What’s the point of giving Elle a gift if your brother isn’t there to see it? Unless youlike her.”
“I—”
She did. She liked Elle. She just didn’t know what it meant or if it meant anything. It was the last thing she wanted to think about, but of course, because her brain was a fucking traitor, that kiss wasallshe could think about. That kiss. Elle’s smile. The way her eyes had shone beneath the streetlights. Herlaugh.
Brendon might’ve planted the seed that brought her to this liquor store, but shewantedto see Elle.
Annie gasped. “Oh my god. You’re shitting me. You like her?Elle? The girl who spilled wine all over your favorite dress and believes inone twu wuv?” She giggled. “This is perfect. You realize that, right? You’re starring in your own romantic comedy, Darcy. Next thing you know, there’s only going to be one bed at the B&B and you’ll have to huddle for warmth beneath one tiny blanket and—”
“Stop.” Darcy pinched the bridge of her nose. “Annie.”
“You just whined at me.” Annie cackled. “Oh my god. I’m dead. You’re so fucked. I love it.”
She was right. Darcy was well and truly fucked.
“I hate you.”
